Pro-Kannada group asks Bengaluru police to deny permission for Sonu Nigam concert

The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a pro-Kannada organisation, has urged the Bengaluru city police commissioner to deny permission for singer Sonu Nigam’s concert scheduled for October 24, citing a remark he made about Kannadigas during a performance in Bengaluru last year. The organisation has warned of statewide protests if the event goes ahead.

In a letter to the police commissioner, KRV state president T A Narayana Gowda alleged that Sonu Nigam had insulted Kannadigas by comparing a request for a Kannada song to the Pahalgam terror attack.

The incident took place in April 2025, when Sonu Nigam performed at East Point College in Bengaluru. An audience member asked him to sing in Kannada. Irritated by the request, the singer responded: “The best songs I have sung are in Kannada... I didn’t like it when a boy asked me to sing in Kannada. He was so rudely threatening, ‘Kannada, Kannada.’ This is the reason for the Pahalgam attack.”

The remark drew sharp criticism and sparked a backlash across Karnataka. Several film and pro-Kannada organisations accused Sonu Nigam of hurting their sentiments by equating linguistic pride with terrorism.

“Kannadigas have not forgotten this wound,” KRV said.

Sonu Nigam is scheduled to perform as part of The Revolution India Tour at 7 pm on October 24 at Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru on Thanisandra Main Road. The event is being organised by ITW Playworx.

In its letter, KRV urged the police to deny permission for the concert or revoke it if approval had already been granted. It also called for a review of the status of the earlier complaint and urged the authorities to act in accordance with the law. KRV had earlier filed a complaint against Sonu Nigam at the Avalahalli police station on May 2, 2025, following the controversy.

The organisation further demanded that the police take seriously the statements it considers insulting to Kannada linguistic pride and potentially capable of creating tension between linguistic communities. 

KRV warned of intense protests across Karnataka if the concert is permitted, saying responsibility for any escalation would lie with those who ignored its demand.