'If anyone can prove I am behind those anti-women songs, I am ready to give up music,' singer Honey Singh, who claims he is the victim of a campaign to finish off his rising career, tells Subhash K Jha.Honey Singh did not know what hit him on Monday when he was targeted for his allegedly anti-woman songs, especially a number titled Main Hoon Ek Balaatkari.
The song's title and 'message' have offended a nation angered by the horrific December 16 gang-rape in Delhi that tragically took the victim's life last week.
A campaign to boycott Honey Singh and his music appeared on several micro-blogging sites last week. A First Information Report was lodged against Singh for obscenity in Lucknow on Monday.
On Monday evening, his New Year's Eve concert in Gurgaon was cancelled.
Fearing for his life, in a startling revelation, Honey Singh claims the offensive song is not his at all.
"I swear on my music. I've neither written nor sung those offensive songs. I'd never dream of singing a song in praise of rape," he says. "The thought is nauseating to me. I'd rather give up singing than attain popularity in such cheap and cheesy ways."
Singh claims the song was released on the Internet by an imposter: "I've sent notices to YouTube and other Web sites which have uploaded the offensive number. I am shocked that such a song could even be believed to be mine."
"I come from a family where women are respected and I'd never disrespect women by espousing rape," he says.
The singer claims the other obscene song entitled C***t,, which has been floating on the Internet for years under his name, is not his either.
"I disown both these obscene numbers. I have nothing to do with them. My lawyers are trying to find out who is doing this to malign me. I am being targeted for rape of another kind. What is being done to me is among the lowest of violation of human dignity," he says.
Singh alleges that a smear campaign is being undertaken by jealous rivals. "They can't bear to see a villager from Hoshiarpur like me become so successful. My fans know the truth. I would never disrespect women. I have been brought up to treat women with courtesy and dignity."
The worried rapper, whose popularity in North India, especially New Delhi, currently exceeds that of many other musicians, finds the timing of the tirade against him suspicious.
"Just when the country is reeling under the impact of the ghastly rape crime, a song about rape is being attributed to me," he says. "Another song that I have been fighting for years to have removed is in the public eye. I am being targeted for wrongs that I didn't commit."
Singh feels he is being made a target to divert attention from the real issue. "Atrocities against women are happening all around us," he adds. "Why are my songs suddenly being seen as a root cause of evil? If music could actually cause damage, shouldn't songs like Vande Mataram and Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon prevent Indians from hurting fellow human beings?"
"I request politicians to stop diverting attention from the actual issues that affect the country," he says. "Please stop resorting to soft targets like singers and musicians. If anyone can prove I am behind those anti-women songs, I am ready to give up music."
"I come from a business family. I rebelled against my father to become a musician. Now after hearing of these filthy songs, my father asked me, 'Did you take to music to do this kind of thing?'" says Singh.
"I'd never shame my family, my country, the women of my country and myself," he adds.
"I've sung a song about Bhagat Singh?" he says. "How come no one knows about this song? Why are we only interested in scandalous, controversial, things?"
