After facing massive criticism and an FIR for his alleged remark linking a fan’s demand for a Kannada song to the Pahalgam terror attack, singer Sonu Nigam now faces a notice for questioning, reportedly sent via WhatsApp by the Avalahalli police, in connection with the FIR lodged against him.
Police are reportedly scrutinising the video clips doing the rounds of social media and raw footage collected from the organisers of the April 25 event where Nigam allegedly made the controversial remarks. The material will reportedly be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to verify the authenticity of the video and audio.
Officials are reportedly trying to determine whether the clips have been edited. A voice-matching test will also likely be conducted at the FSL using a voice sample collected from Nigam.
The police will reportedly decide on the next course of action depending on the forensic report. The Avalahalli police have reportedly also questioned the organisers of the event in connection with the case.
Nigam issued yet another statement on Monday (May 5), reiterating his love for the Kannada people, but adding that he felt compelled to confront the young men who “threatened” him during the live concert concerned.
In the statement posted on Instagram, the singer said he would cooperate with the police and always “cherish the love” he has received from the people of the state irrespective of the verdict.
“I leave it up to the sensible people of Karnataka to decide who is at fault here. I will accept your verdict gracefully. I fully respect and trust the law agencies and Police of Karnataka and will comply with whatever is expected from me,” Nigam wrote.
His statement came after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announced a “non-cooperation” campaign against the singer for allegedly retorting, “Kannada. Kannada. This is the reason behind the incident in Pahalgam,” in response to an audience member’s request to sing in Kannada at a concert in Bengaluru last month.
Also read: Group of boys in audience threatened me to sing in Kannada: Sonu Nigam after FIR
The playback singer said regardless of the love he has received from the people of Karnataka, he was not some “young lad” who would 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. That too right after my first song of the concert! He provoked a few more. Their own people were embarrassed and were asking them to shut up.
“I told them very politely and lovingly the show has just started, it’s my first song and that I will not let them down, but they have to let me continue with the concert the way I have planned. Every artiste has a song list prepared so the musicians and technicians are in sync. But they were hell bent on creating ruckus and threatening me wildly. Tell me who is at fault?” he asked.
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As a patriot, he loathes anyone trying to create hate in the name of “language, caste or religion”, especially after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam which claimed the lives of 26 people, including two from Karnataka, Nigam explained.
“I had to school them, and I did, and thousands of students and teachers cheered me for it. The matter got over and I sang (in) Kannada for more than an hour. It’s all there on social media,” he added.
On Saturday, too, Nigam shared a video on Instagram in which he defended himself after the FIR was lodged. The incident occurred during a live concert at a college in Bengaluru.
(With agency inputs)
