Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam is facing legal trouble after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him for remarks made during a performance in Bengaluru.

He had allegedly compared demands to sing in Kannada to the Pahalgam terror attack. The incident occurred on 25–26 April 2025 at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Virgonagar.

The FIR, filed on 3 May by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike President Dharmaraj A, accuses Nigam of making "objectionable and emotionally provocative" statements that hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community. The complaint claims that his comments could provoke division among linguistic communities and potentially incite violence. Charges were filed under IPC Sections 351(2), 352(I), and 353, which pertain to assault, criminal force, and obstructing public servants.

The controversy began when a young man in the audience reportedly demanded that Nigam sing in Kannada, leading to a confrontation. In response, the singer allegedly drew a parallel between this pressure and the lack of concern for linguistic identity during the recent Pahalgam incident, where civilians were stripped and attacked.

Addressing the backlash, Sonu Nigam posted a self-recorded video on Instagram. In it, he explained that "only four to five goons" created a disturbance during his show by shouting and threatening him to sing in Kannada. He clarified that most of the crowd was supportive, and even women in the audience intervened to stop the disruptors.

Nigam stated, "Kannadigas are very nice people. Don’t think there’s any wave or movement. There are always a few bad people everywhere. It’s important to stop people who provoke others because it becomes a bigger issue later."

He continued, "In a land of love, if someone is sowing seeds of hatred, you have to stop them. There were only a few boys who looked at me with anger. Not even half an hour into the show, after the first song, they began threatening me."

The singer stressed that his intent was not to insult the Kannada-speaking community and urged against generalising based on the actions of a few. He reiterated his respect for Kannadigas and condemned the politicisation of the incident.

The FIR and social media fallout have reignited debates over language politics and regional identity in India, particularly regarding the expectations placed on national performers appearing in regional contexts.

Authorities are investigating the matter further. Sonu Nigam, meanwhile, has not issued an apology but maintained his stance, urging for mutual respect and restraint.