KRV Demands Ban on Sonu Nigam Bengaluru Concert
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike demands Bengaluru police deny permission for Sonu Nigam's concert following his controversial remarks about the Kannada language.
The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) has officially approached the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, demanding that permission be denied for singer Sonu Nigam's upcoming concert in the city. The organization is seeking to block the performance scheduled for October 24, citing highly offensive remarks the singer allegedly made regarding the Kannada language.
The Controversy: A Comparison to Terror Attacks
The tension stems from an incident that occurred during a music program at East Point College in Bengaluru in April 2025. According to the KRV, when a student requested a song in Kannada, Sonu Nigam made a remark that has deeply wounded local sentiments.
The organization alleges that the singer stated, "Kannada, Kannada, Kannada, this is the reason the Pahalgam incident happened," referring to a terror attack. The KRV has condemned this comparison as irresponsible and a direct insult to the self-respect of Kannadigas.
"Is asking for a Kannada song a crime? Who gave Sonu Nigam the right to compare love for Kannada language to a terrorist attack?" the organization questioned in its formal letter.
Demands for Police Action
The KRV, led by State President TA Narayana Gowda, has laid out a specific set of demands to the Bengaluru police to prevent what they describe as an insult to regional pride. Their primary requests include:
- Denial of Permission: The immediate refusal of permits for the concert scheduled for October 24 at Bhartiya Mall, Thanisandra Main Road.
- Revocation of Permits: If permission has already been granted, the KRV demands it be revoked immediately due to potential law and order risks.
- Legal Review: A formal review of a previous complaint filed by the Bengaluru Urban District Unit President, Dharmaraj TA, at the Avalahalli Police Station on May 2, 2025.
- Accountability: Taking serious action against statements that create tension between linguistic communities.
Threat of Statewide Protests
The singer is set to perform as part of 'The Revolution India Tour,' organized by ITW Playworx. However, the KRV has warned that allowing the event to proceed could trigger significant public unrest and large-scale protests across the state.
The organization emphasized that maintaining public peace is the responsibility of the police department. They have warned that if their demands are ignored, they will launch intense statewide protests, stating that the responsibility for any escalation in tension will lie with the authorities who allow the concert to move forward.