Sonu Nigam to Sona Mohapatra: Every Issue Doesn't Need Quarrelling

Sonu Nigam's Pakistan comment and the singer backing Anu Malik hasn't gone down well with fellow singer Sona Mohapatra. But Sonu says every issue "doesn't need quarrelling around it".

During Aaj Tak’s recent summit, Sonu talked about why so many songs are being remixed these days. "Sometimes, I feel like it would be better if I was from Pakistan. At least I would get offers from India," he joked.

He also said, "If you say, 'Anu Malik met me this morning', that's fine. You accused him without any proof; let's accept that too. Had he (Anu Malik) wanted to say anything, he could have said a lot. But he did not. If I say that you misbehaved with me, you will ask me for proof. But there's no proof, right? Despite that, people are respecting the accusers, who are tarnishing Anu Malik's name. But how can you ban him? How can you snatch his bread and butter? How can you torture his family?"

Following Sonu's comments, Sona, who had accused Anu of sexual misconduct, tweeted on Wednesday that she felt "so let down hearing him talk like this.”

Sona also wrote: "So much sympathy for a millionaire losing work? So much empathy for his privileged family being 'tortured'? How about scores of girls and women he tortured? Multiple testimonies not proof enough?"

"Not one but possibly 100 plus women and men can attest to Anu Malik's deplorable abusive behaviour. I guess Mr. Sonu Nigam expects all these women/underage girls to - a) strap recording devices b) carry spy cams, other proof gathering devices because they have much to benefit defaming him?"

On Sonu's Pakistan comment, she said: "Are Arijit Singh, Badshah, Vishal Dadlani from Pakistan though?

"You've had your moment under the sun dear. India anoints a new 'Male Super Star' every 3/4/5 years without fail. Don't blame the Pakistani artistes. Also do not mix up art and music with politics and ideology."

While "maintaining the decorum", Sonu responded to her tweets by saying, "The respectable lady vomiting on Twitter is the wife of someone who I consider very close to me, so although she has forgotten the relationship, I'd like to maintain the decorum."

"Koi jaanvar hee hoga jo #MeToo movement ko support nahi karta hoga (Only someone who is an animal won't support #MeToo),” he said, pointing out that women with “frankness and courage, shaming their oppressors” is a refreshing sign of changing times.

"It's okay to accuse someone, but to punish someone? How is that right? Isn't it the job of the law to punish?" he questioned.

"Isn't it a fact that while 99% of the #MeToo movement has been dignified, a small percentage is indulging in media lynching without letting law take its course, especially when all of us in the society have supported the movement?" he added.

"Every issue doesn't need quarrelling around it forever. Look at the positive side. Men, henceforth, have learnt to 'behave' with women. Some strong women's sacrifice has done the magic. And that paves the way for a peaceful and safe work environment in the present and for the future. After the shaming and exposing, we should let the law take its course."

Addressing Sona, he said, "And respected lady, as far as my jibe about better off being born in Pakistan is concerned, go see the interview properly, and make sure I was talking for the entire fraternity, including the singers from abroad, and not myself.

"I would not like to say anything about the names you have mentioned to compare me with, but all I can say is that I chose to stand my ground and be a part of the collective movement to implement the Constitutional Amendment, that your husband too has been a part of, with us. And you have been a witness to it all.

"So, choose your words with some conscience. And as for me having had my moment, well thank you for the love. I'm very grateful to God for it," he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, he had also said that he has immense respect for artistes from all over the globe, including Pakistani singers.

"Everyone should be welcomed in India. I'm very friendly with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam. Shafqat Amanat Ali has a lovely voice and everyone must get equal respect in our country, but in the same breath, I'd like to add that Indian artistes should be given the same facilities as their foreign counterparts. If that doesn't happen, then it's unfair," Sonu said.

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