Singer Sonu Nigam has come under scrutiny after a police complaint was filed against him for allegedly making offensive remarks about the Kannada language during a concert in Bengaluru. The incident occurred on April 25–26 at East Point College of Engineering and Technology, where Nigam was performing. According to the complaint lodged by Dharmaraj A, President of the Bengaluru District Unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), Nigam's comments "deeply hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community" and had the potential to incite linguistic tension.

The controversy began when a student requested the singer to perform a Kannada song. In response, Nigam allegedly said, "Kannada, Kannada, Kannada... this is exactly why the incident happened in Pahalgam," referring to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The remark, now circulating widely on social media, has been slammed for linking a simple cultural request to a violent act.

The incident has sparked outrage among Kannada film personalities and pro-Kannada activists online, with many demanding a public apology from Nigam. While some have called for a ban on the singer, a section of his fans has defended him, saying he has shown respect for the Kannada language in the past and deserves a chance to clarify or apologise.