Sona Mohapatra criticises Sonu Nigam for defending Anu Malik: 'Multiple testimonies not proof enough?'

Saying that she found him “brighter than most of his peers”, singer Sona Mohapatra Wednesday took on colleague Sonu Nigam for his reported defence of composer Anu Malik, who she alleged is a “serial predator”. Nigam was quoted as saying at a media summit over the weekend that Malik, his long time friend, was accused without any proof and had maintained a dignified silence on the #MeToo allegations.

Mohapatra, Shweta Pandit and two other budding singers, who chose to remain anonymous, made allegations of sexual harassment against Malik in October, when the #MeToo movement was gathering pace. Mohapatra, who called Malik a “serial predator”, said she felt “let down” by Nigam’s remarks.

I always found Sonu Nigam to be brighter than most of his peers, intelligent, so talented, excellent at his craft & yes, kind too. Feel so let down hearing him talk like this & choose the dark side to side up with. I’m hoping he realises how sad this is. 🙏🏽🔴 https://t.co/aQxiD2VdUx

— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) December 19, 2018

& so much sympathy for a millionaire losing work? So much empathy for his privileged family being ‘tortured’?How about the scores of girls & women he tortured?Multiple testimonies not proof enough? @IndiaMeToo https://t.co/Yxuh9obMbO

— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) December 19, 2018

Also said - 1)Not 1 but possibly 💯+ women & MEN can attest to Anu Malik’s deplorable abusive behaviour.
2)Mr. Sonu Nigam expects all these women/underage girls to - a)strap recording devices b)carry spy cams,other proof gathering devices cus they have much benefit defaming him? https://t.co/Yxuh9obMbO

— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) December 19, 2018

Malik has repeatedly denied all the allegations. His lawyer told Press Trust of India at the time that the #MeToo movement was being used for his client’s “character assassination”. Following the allegations, the music composer stepped down as a jury member from Indian Idol, a singing reality show of which he was part since its inception in 2004.

The singer commented on Nigam’s reported remark that there was no proof against the composer, saying there were “possibly 100 plus women and men” who can attest to Malik’s “deplorable abusive behaviour”.

Nigam is already under fire for his reported remark on Pakistan at the media summit. He was quoted as saying, “… it would be better if I was from Pakistan”. On Tuesday night, he said on Facebook that the comment was misconstrued. Mohapatra was quick to react.  

Are Arijeet Singh, Badshah,Vishal Dadlani from Pakistan though? 🤔
(U’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 artists. Also do not mix up Art & Music with Politics & Idealogy. 🎶🙏🏽🔴) https://t.co/VIUNZVCgjt

— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) December 19, 2018