KRV Urges Bengaluru Police to Deny Permission for Sonu Nigam’s October 24 Concert

Bengaluru, Oct 15 : The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) has urged the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner to deny permission for singer Sonu Nigam’s concert scheduled for October 24, alleging that his controversial remarks about the Kannada language had hurt the sentiments and self-respect of Kannadigas.

In a representation submitted to the police, KRV state president T.A. Narayana Gowda demanded that permission for the concert be denied or revoked if already granted. He warned that the organisation would launch statewide protests if the event was allowed to proceed.

The controversy dates back to April 25, 2025, when Nigam attended a musical programme at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Bengaluru. A video of the incident went viral after an audience member repeatedly urged the singer to perform a Kannada song.

Nigam reportedly responded that he had been singing in Kannada for longer than the age of the person making the demand. He also objected to what he described as a rude and threatening tone.

During the exchange, the singer referred to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, in which 26 people were killed. “Yahi kaaran hai, Pahalgam mein jo hua hai na? Yahi kaaran hai jo kar rahe ho, jo kiya tha na abhi?” he was heard saying in the widely circulated video.

The remarks drew widespread criticism in Karnataka, with critics arguing that the comparison between a linguistic confrontation and terrorism was inappropriate.

Nigam later clarified that his comments were directed at a few individuals whose behaviour he found threatening and were not intended to target Kannadigas as a community. He also reiterated his affection for the people of Karnataka.

However, KRV maintained that the remarks were objectionable and amounted to an insult to the pride of Kannada-speaking people. The organisation questioned why a demand to sing in Kannada had prompted such a response and objected to the singer’s reference to the Pahalgam attack.

The organisation also cited a complaint reportedly filed against Nigam at Avalahalli police station on May 2, 2025, by Dharmaraj T.A., president of its Bengaluru Urban district unit. It has sought an update on the complaint and appropriate legal action in accordance with the law.

KRV urged the police to assess the possibility of public resentment and law-and-order issues before granting permission for the concert. It reiterated its warning that protests would be held across Karnataka if the event was allowed to take place.

The concert, part of Nigam’s The Revolution India Tour, is scheduled to begin at 7 pm on October 24 at Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru on Thanisandra Main Road.

The police department’s response to the representation was not immediately available.