Sonu Nigam Apologises for Remarks on Kannadigas, Says Love for Karnataka Surpasses Ego

Renowned singer Sonu Nigam has publicly apologised to the people of Karnataka following backlash over his comments during a recent music event in Bengaluru.

On Tuesday, Sonu took to Instagram, posting a concise yet emotional note. “Sorry, Karnataka. My Love for you, is bigger than my Ego. Love you always,” he wrote, referring to the incident that occurred last month.

Fan Reactions to Sonu’s Apology

Fans poured in with mixed reactions to Sonu’s post. One user said, “Karnataka, you’ve done very wrong to this person. He love and respect Kannadigas so much that he apologised and clarified the situation multiple times, but no one from Karnataka said one single word against those 4-5 guys.”

Another fan commented, “You’ve apologised multiple times, but will those 4-5 students apologise publicly as well? Shame on those!!” A different user wrote, “No need to be sorry sir…it was a necessary step that you took.”

Others praised his humility, calling it “truly inspiring” and said it was a “loss for Karnataka industry” that people continued to criticise him.

Police Action and Ongoing Investigation

Despite the apology, the Bengaluru Police served a notice to Sonu Nigam, asking him to appear for questioning within a week.

This came after the Avalahalli Police Station in Bengaluru Rural District filed an FIR against the singer. The FIR, based on a video from the concert, accuses him of making hurtful remarks about the Kannadiga community.

At the event, Sonu reportedly refused to perform a Kannada song upon being aggressively demanded by a few individuals. He also made a comparison to the Pahalgam attack, which drew widespread attention.

Sonu Nigam’s Clarification

In a detailed message posted on Monday, Sonu Nigam shared his perspective. “I am not a young lad to take humiliation from anyone. I am 51 years old, in the second half of my life and am entitled to take offence for someone as young as my son threatening me directly in front of thousands in the name of language that too Kannada which is my second language when it comes to my work,” he stated.

He added that the provocation came from a few individuals whose behaviour even embarrassed others in the audience.

Support from Music Fraternity

Several musicians came forward to support Sonu Nigam. Tony Kakkar praised his lifelong dedication to Indian music, writing on Instagram, “Sir Sonu Nigam isn’t just a singer. He shaped our childhoods, inspired millions, and taught a whole generation. It truly hurts to see him misjudged over a twisted headline (sic).”

Shaan also spoke out, telling IANS, “The point is that we have to be inclusive. We have to be more tolerant. And, music is a universal language. People should be a little more patient, a little more tolerant. If you have chosen an artist, then you know what language most of his songs are in (sic).”

The Incident That Sparked the Row

During a college event in Bengaluru on April 25, a few attendees persistently demanded that Sonu sing in Kannada.

In response, he stopped the performance and said, “Kannada, Kannada. This is the reason behind the incident in Pahalgam.” The statement quickly went viral, prompting widespread debate and scrutiny.

Further Apology and Context

Reaffirming his love for the state, Sonu later wrote, “I have given unprecedented love to the language, the culture, the music, the musicians, the state and the people.”

Despite being summoned by police for questioning, he insisted his comment was misinterpreted. “Kannadigas are wonderful people. My comment was about a few individuals, not the entire community,” he clarified.

Police Statement and Legal Action

C K Baba, Superintendent of Police (Bengaluru Rural), said, “Given the seriousness of the matter, an inspector has been assigned to investigate the case thoroughly.”

The FIR includes charges under sections 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352(1) (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), and 353 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Ricky Kej Backs Sonu Nigam

Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej also came out in support. He stated, “Your love for Kannada and Karnataka is well known beyond any doubt. I have seen numerous shows of yours in Bengaluru and you always perform Kannada songs. If he was truly a fan of yours, he should have know the Kannada songs are coming.”

He added that Sonu has historically chosen to record Kannada songs over others and described the situation as “just an unfortunate incident.”