Bengaluru, Oct 14 — The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) on Wednesday has urged the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner to deny permission for singer Sonu Nigam's scheduled concert in the city on October 24, alleging that his remarks comparing Kannadigas' linguistic sentiments to the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 had hurt the pride and sentiments of the Kannada-speaking community.
In a representation submitted to the Police Commissioner, KRV State President T.A. Narayan Gowda demanded that the police refuse permission for the concert or revoke any approval already granted, citing possible public resentment and law-and-order concerns.
According to the organisation, Sonu Nigam is scheduled to perform at the Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru on Thanisandra Main Road at 7 pm on October 24 as part of his 'The Revolution India Tour'. The event is reportedly being organised by ITW Playworx.
The controversy dates back to April 2025, when Sonu Nigam allegedly made the remarks during a musical event at East Point College in Bengaluru. The organisation claimed that when a student requested a Kannada song, the singer responded by saying, "Kannada, Kannada, Kannada, this is why the incident (terror attack) happened in Pahalgam."
KRV said that requesting a song in Kannada was not an offence and alleged that comparing the linguistic sentiments of Kannadigas to a terror attack was objectionable, irresponsible and an insult to their self-respect.
The organisation further stated that Dharmaraj T.A., president of its Bengaluru urban district unit, had lodged a complaint against the singer at Avalahalli police station on May 2, 2025, seeking appropriate legal action over the remarks.
Describing the issue as a serious public grievance, KRV said the sentiments of Kannadigas had not been addressed and that allowing the singer to perform in Bengaluru would further hurt their pride.
The organisation warned that granting permission for the concert could intensify public resentment and potentially lead to large-scale protests. It urged the police to assess the possible law-and-order implications and take preventive measures to maintain public peace and harmony.
Among its demands, KRV sought a review of the status of its earlier complaint against the singer and urged the authorities to examine any statements that could create unnecessary tensions between linguistic communities.
Narayan Gowda said the organisation was committed to protecting the Kannada language, land, water and self-respect through democratic and legal means.
The KRV president warned that if permission was granted for the concert, the organisation would be compelled to organise protests across Karnataka. He said the responsibility for any escalation would lie with those who ignored the organisation's demands and allowed the event to proceed despite the objections.
The organisation has urged the police to take an urgent decision on its representation and communicate the action taken in writing.