Sonu Nigam Caught in a Web of Misinformation Amidst Kannada Language Controversy
Renowned Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam found himself embroiled in a frustrating battle against misinformation, once again forced to clarify his absence from the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The incident stemmed from a recent controversy involving a Karnataka BJP MP, Tejasvi Surya, and a bank manager’s refusal to speak in Kannada. An X account bearing a name strikingly similar to the singer’s – Sonu Nigam Singh – commented on the issue, sparking a wave of erroneous reports attributing the comment to the celebrated vocalist.
Nigam took to Instagram on May 22, 2025, expressing his exasperation with the recurring misinformation spread in his name. He shared screenshots of the misleading X account’s post, directly calling out prominent news outlets for their role in disseminating the false information. His Instagram post resonated with a palpable sense of frustration, highlighting the potential damage such misinformation could inflict on his reputation and the trust he has cultivated with his fans over the years. He lamented the lack of fact-checking and the irresponsible reporting that contributed to the spread of the false narrative.
This isn’t an isolated incident for Nigam. Earlier in February 2025, he faced a similar predicament, compelled to publicly disavow the same X account and its posts. He underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the potential threats such impersonation could pose to his and his family’s safety. He also expressed his disappointment with the apparent inaction of authorities despite his repeated pleas for intervention. The individual operating the account, Sonu Nigam Singh, had previously claimed to be a criminal lawyer from Bihar, asserting that the name was his birth name and denying any intent to impersonate the singer.
The recent misinformation episode comes on the heels of a separate controversy involving Nigam, stemming from an incident at a concert in Bengaluru on April 22, 2025. A video circulated online showing the singer purportedly refusing to sing in Kannada, drawing criticism and sparking a heated debate. His comparison of the situation to the Pahalgam attack further inflamed sentiments, leading to the filing of a police complaint against him.
The complaint, lodged by the president of a pro-Kannada group, invoked multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal intimidation, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, and incitement to public mischief. While Nigam subsequently issued a clarification and apology, the legal proceedings continued.
The Karnataka High Court provided a temporary reprieve for the singer on May 15, 2025, ordering the police to refrain from taking coercive action against him until the next hearing. This legal battle added another layer of complexity to the ongoing saga, intertwining with the separate issue of online impersonation and misinformation.
Nigam’s experience highlights the growing concern surrounding the spread of false information on social media and its potential to harm individuals’ reputations and even endanger their safety. The incident underscores the need for greater vigilance on the part of both social media platforms and news organizations in verifying information before disseminating it to the public. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of legal and regulatory frameworks in addressing online impersonation and holding perpetrators accountable. The singer’s repeated pleas for intervention highlight the challenges individuals face in combating online misinformation and the urgent need for more robust mechanisms to protect them from its harmful consequences. The convergence of these controversies – the online impersonation and the Kannada language row – has placed Sonu Nigam in a difficult position, forcing him to navigate a complex landscape of misinformation, public outrage, and legal challenges.