Mumbai: Veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu has weighed over the ongoing language debate, when it comes to professional opportunities, the talent and adaptability is that language is more than proficiency.
Speaking especially to IANS, the singer shared his views on the language line, saying that everyone should have the freedom to work across the country regardless of linguistic differences. Sanu commented that the ability to take a language depends on a person’s ability and interest, and that it should not become a barrier to professional opportunities.
He shared, “I don’t want to say anything about the language. The national language of our country. Everyone has the right to work at any place. The language should come or not depends on their quality … how much they grab it. It depends on how much they can speak or not. I think it’s fine.”
As a discussion about linguistic independence gain speed, National Award winning playback singer Sonu Nigam got entangled at the center of the controversy after a video of his Bengaluru concert went viral. The singer came into the fire after an incident at his recent concert held at East Point College, Virzonagar, Bangalore. After rejecting the controversy, he rejected the request of a fan to sing the Kannada song, the way the request was considered inappropriate.
What the debate further moved, the position of Nigam was compared to the initiative terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, a comment that made a sharp criticism. His remarks expressed displeasure within the Kannada-dwelling community, a pro-Canadian organization filed a formal complaint, alleging the singer of promoting linguistic discord. The incident added fuel to the national conversation around language and regional identity.
In December last year, the acclaimed Bengali singer Iman Chakravarti broke out an online debate after a video of his concert in Rajarhat, West Bengal, went viral. The footage showed him addressing an audience member, who called for a ban on Bengali songs during the program.
In April, the Maharashtra government made Hindi a mandatory third language in primary schools run by the state, as well as Marathi and English as well as an alliance with the national three language policy. The move triggers mixed reactions, especially among the concerned people about the linguistic imposition.
In unrest, videos of videos of Maharashtra Navneman Sena (MNS) that target non-Marathi speakers also appeared on social media.
