Pro-Kannada group Rakshana Vedike (KRV), the president of Karnataka’s Bengaluru city district unit, filed a police complaint against singer Sonu Nigam, claiming that his remarks have deeply wounded Kannadiga sentiments, stoked animosity among Karnataka’s various linguistic communities, and are likely to incite violence.

The well-known singer Sonu Nigam was the target of this complaint for allegedly making offensive and emotionally charged remarks at a musical performance that took place at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Virgonagar, Bengaluru, on April 25–26. This event is under the jurisdiction of your police station.

The complaint was filed by Dharmaraj A, President of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Bengaluru City District Unit.

“The well-known singer Shri Sonu Nigam is the target of this complaint for making offensive and emotionally charged remarks at a musical performance on April 25 and 26 at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Virgonagar, Bengaluru, which is under the jurisdiction of your police station. In addition to inciting hate among Karnataka’s many linguistic minorities, his remarks have severely wounded the feelings of the Kannadiga people and are likely to inspire bloodshed. According to the lawsuit, “a video of Shri Sonu Nigam’s statement went viral, causing widespread outrage among millions of Kannadigas across the state.”

“A student reportedly asked Sonu Nigam to perform a Kannada song at a musical event held at East Point College on April 25 and 26. Nigam responded by making a divisive statement: “Kannada, Kannada, Kannada, this is exactly why the incident happened in Pahalgam.” He brought up the April 22 terrorist incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. “Nigam insulted the Kannadiga community and equated their cultural pride and linguistic identity with violence and intolerance by tying a simple request to sing a Kannada song to a terrorist act,” the suit said.

These remarks were captured in a video that went viral on social media and was covered by many news outlets. This caused a great deal of ire among Kannadigas and sparked worries about possible assaults on them throughout the nation.

“Shri Sonu Nigam’s remarks are offensive, polarizing, and detrimental to peace within the community. The following parts of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, are violated by them.

The lawsuit goes on to say, “The Kannadiga community has been deeply distressed by Sonu Nigam’s remarks. Shri Nigam has depicted Kannadigas as aggressive or intolerant, which runs counter to their peaceful and harmonious character, by comparing a simple cultural request to perform a Kannada song with a terrorist attack. His remarks run the danger of igniting linguistic conflict in the diverse state of Karnataka. Such remarks undermine communal peace by fostering separation among groups and presenting a poor image of Kannadigas, especially when they come from a well-known public person with a large following like Shri Sonu Nigam.

In light of this, I ask that a complaint be filed against Shri Sonu Nigam for inciting hatred, criminal defamation, and outraged linguistic emotions under BNS Sections 352(1), 351(2), and 353, and that the proper legal action be done. To secure justice for the Kannadiga community and stop such divisive remarks in the future, I implore you to conduct a comprehensive investigation into this occurrence, gather video evidence from the scene, and document witness testimony from East Point College on April 30, 2025.

“I’m prepared to assist completely with the inquiry and provide further details if needed. I respectfully ask that you address this grave violation right now in order to protect our society’s peace and cohesion. Dedicatedly yours, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Bengaluru Dharmaraj A. is the district president of Bengaluru district.

On social media, Kannada filmmakers and Kannadigas are furious with the singer. Sonu Nigam’s apology has been sought by pro-Kannada groups. They have also been heard to urge on being banned. Some supporters also said that Sonu Nigam should be given another opportunity to apologize rather than being banned because of his passion for Kannada.