Karnataka HC Grants Interim Relief to Sonu Nigam in Bengaluru Concert Remarks Case
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday granted interim protection to singer Sonu Nigam in connection with a case filed over his controversial remarks at a college concert in Bengaluru.
A vacation bench led by Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar directed that no coercive action be taken against the singer while asking him to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. The court was hearing Nigam’s plea to quash an FIR registered at Avalahalli police station in Bengaluru Rural district.
Nigam’s counsel submitted that the singer had no intent to insult the Kannada community and had already issued a public apology. The FIR, based on a third-party complaint and media reports, alleged that Nigam hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas by comparing them to terrorists during a concert.
Opposing the plea, the state counsel argued that Nigam’s comments were made during a public event and widely broadcast in the media. The FIR was legally filed, and the singer had been served a notice. His failure to appear before investigators, the counsel said, was a cause for concern.
The High Court adjourned the matter after granting temporary relief, with further hearings expected soon.
The remarks in question stem from a performance at East Point College of Engineering and Technology held between April 25 and 26. A viral video from the concert shows Nigam responding to an aggressive demand from a fan for a Kannada song by referencing the tone of the request and linking it to the Pahalgam terror attack.
“Yahi kaaran hai, Pahalgam mein jo hua hai na? Yahi kaaran hai jo kar rahe ho, jo kiya tha na abhi?” Nigam said, prompting outrage from several Kannada groups and individuals who accused him of portraying Kannadigas as hostile.
In the wake of the backlash, Sonu Nigam posted a public apology: “Sorry Karnataka.” He clarified that his comment was directed at a few unruly individuals, not the broader Kannada-speaking population. “Some people approached the stage and were very aggressive. I’ve sung hundreds of Kannada songs. I wasn’t refusing. I just asked for politeness,” he said.
Despite the apology, the incident continued to spark criticism. Kannada filmmaker K Ramnarayan dropped a song sung by Nigam for his upcoming film Kuladalli Keelyavudo, stating, “Just saying sorry is not enough. He must face the consequences.”
