Singer Sonu Nigam who has faced a strong backlash in Karnataka for his recent remarks during a concert, issued an apology on Monday, May 5, the day on which the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announced a boycott of the singer unless he expresses remorse. In a social media post, the singer wrote, “Sorry Karnataka. My Love for you is bigger than my Ego. Love you always.”
The singer stoked a controversy during his concert in Bengaluru on April 25 by equating a song request in Kannada by an audience member to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam where 26 people were shot dead.
“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,” he said.
The singer’s remarks were widely condemned with pro-Kannada organisations accusing him of hurting their sentiments by comparing linguistic pride with terrorism.
The backlash intensified after the singer initially attempted to justify his remarks instead of retracting them.
A case was also filed against him by pro-Kannada organisation Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. In his complaint, Dharmaraj A, president of the Bengaluru district unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike alleged that Sonu Nigam's remarks hurt their sentiments. He claimed that the singer’s remarks could incite violence and communal tension in the state.
Subsequently, the KFCC also announced its decision to boycott Sonu Nigam unless he issues a public apology.
“The entire Karnataka state, all regions will not cooperate with Sonu Nigam. It’s as good as a ban,” said Narasimhalu, President of the KFCC. Narasimhalu demanded an unconditional apology from the singer.
