Sonu Nigam reacts to allegations of hurting sentiments of Kannadigas

Mumbai, May 3 (IANS) Playback singer Sonu Nigam has issued a clarification in the light of allegations against him for making provocative statements, and hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas.

This comes after an FIR was filed against the singer at the Avalahalli Police Station in Bengaluru. On April 25 and April 26, during the event at East Point College, it is reported that a student requested Sonu Nigam to sing a Kannada song.

Responding to the same during his performance, the singer had made an objectionable statement, saying, “Kannada, Kannada, Kannada, this is exactly why the incident happened in Pahalgam”, as he referenced the recent terrorist attack that occurred in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed.

Sonu, on his part, took to his Instagram on Saturday, and issued a clarification as he said that there were only 3-4 fringe elements in the crowd, and other people in the audience were very respectful. He said that such people need to be dealt with strongly.

He said in the video, “There were only 4-5 goons who were shouting. In fact, thousands of people were stopping them. I remember the girls were shouting at them, telling them, ‘don't disturb the scene’. It was very important to remind them that when the pants were removed in Pahalgam, the language was not asked. Kannadigas are very nice people. One should not think that there is a wave about language extremism. There is nothing like that. There are 4-5 such bad people everywhere”.

“But it is very important to remind them that you cannot allow them to threaten you to make you sing. I intended to perform an hour-long set of my songs in Kannada language. It is very important to stop the people Who are provoking people. Please do not generalize the entire Kannadiga community. There were only 4-5 boys on that day, who looked at me with anger after my first song, not even like half an hour of the show”, he added.

Meanwhile, the complaint filed against the singer takes into account Sections 352(1), 352(2), and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace and assault or criminal force to deter a public servant.

The complaint alleges that the singer linked a simple request to sing a Kannada song to a terrorist act, thereby insulting the Kannadiga community and equating their cultural pride and linguistic identity with violence and intolerance.

--IANS

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