Singer Sonu Nigam has made a fresh appeal to people in Karnataka to put an end to the controversy surrounding his remarks about the Kannada language and the Pahalgam terror attack. In a video message, the singer expressed regret over the hurt caused by his comments, saying he valued his relationship with Kannadigas too much to allow the dispute to deepen.

The apology comes amid a row over Nigam’s scheduled concert in Bengaluru on October 24. The controversy had escalated after the pro-Kannada organisation Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) demanded that the authorities refuse permission for the performance and threatened protests if the event went ahead.

Appealing directly to the people of Karnataka, Nigam said he was willing to apologise repeatedly if that would help repair the relationship. He also spoke about the affection and respect he had received from the state over the past three decades, describing his bond with Kannadigas as one he wanted to preserve.

How the controversy began

The dispute originated at a college event in Bengaluru in April 2025, where Nigam was performing before an audience. After a person repeatedly asked him to sing in Kannada, the singer responded by drawing a comparison with the Pahalgam terror attack.

The remark provoked a backlash, with critics accusing him of making an insensitive comparison and hurting Kannada-speaking people. The incident also led to a police complaint.

Nigam subsequently sought to explain his reaction, maintaining that his objection was to the manner in which the demand had been made, rather than to Kannada or its speakers. His explanation, however, did not immediately bring the controversy to a close.

Bengaluru concert becomes flashpoint

The issue returned to the spotlight ahead of Nigam’s October 24 performance in Bengaluru, scheduled as part of his The Revolution India Tour.

KRV, headed by TA Narayana Gowda, approached the police commissioner seeking to prevent the concert from taking place. The organisation also warned that it would mobilise protests if the authorities allowed the event to proceed.

The demand placed the upcoming performance at the centre of the dispute, raising questions over whether the language controversy would lead to demonstrations at the venue.

Apology prompts rethink of protest plan

Gowda shared Nigam’s apology video on social media on October 19, saying the singer had acknowledged the sentiments of Kannadigas. Following the interaction, the organisation announced that it would withdraw its proposed protest.

The development has eased the immediate tension surrounding the concert, although the episode has once again highlighted the sensitivity surrounding language and cultural identity in Karnataka.

For Nigam, the apology is an attempt to draw a line under the dispute before his scheduled Bengaluru appearance. Whether it fully settles the criticism over his earlier remarks remains to be seen.