Bengaluru– The Karnataka High Court on Thursday granted interim relief to singer Sonu Nigam, directing police not to take any coercive action against him in connection with a controversial remarks case that has stirred public outcry across the state.
The case stems from Nigam’s comments at a recent college event in Bengaluru, where he allegedly linked a demand for a Kannada song to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. His remarks triggered backlash from Kannada language activists and several cultural organizations.
A bench led by Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar instructed the police to refrain from any coercive steps against the singer while also directing Nigam to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
Opposing the relief, the prosecution argued that the incident was captured during a live broadcast and received widespread media coverage, warranting legal consequences.
An FIR was filed on May 3 based on a complaint by Dharmaraj A., president of the Bengaluru City District unit of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. The case was registered under Sections 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (statements inciting public mischief), and 352(1) (intentional insult intended to provoke breach of peace or incite another offense) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The controversy unfolded during Nigam’s appearance at East Point College of Engineering and Technology, where a member of the audience interrupted his performance, demanding he sing a Kannada song. Responding to the outburst, Nigam said:
“I’ve sung in many languages, and some of my best songs are in Kannada. I’ve always felt love and respect here, and I sing Kannada songs whenever requested. But I didn’t like the way that person yelled ‘Kannada, Kannada.’ It’s such aggressive behavior that leads to incidents like the Pahalgam attack.”
The comment drew swift condemnation from local groups, who demanded an unconditional apology. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) also stepped in, barring Nigam from working in the Kannada film industry until he issued a formal apology.
In a conciliatory move, Nigam posted an apology on Instagram: “Sorry Karnataka. My love for you is bigger than my ego. Love you always.” (Source: IANS)
