Don't confuse between 'rappers' and 'rapers', says Twitterati

The rapper, who became popular with his song 'Angerezi beat' in Saif Ali Khan starrer 'Cocktail', was caught in the controversy following the outrage over Delhi gangrape.

He was forced to cancel New Year's Eve performance in Gurgaon after an online petition by some activists and also faces an FIR in a Lucknow police station.

Singh tweeted that he was being used as an excuse while denying writing the lyrics that triggered the anger.

The online community seemed divided on the issue as many questioned why there was no criticism of Bollywood item songs like 'Shiela Ki Jawani', 'Munni Badanam Hui', 'Halkat Jawaani' and 'Fevicol' while others believed that freedom of expression should be respected.

"FIR lodged against Honey Singh, looks like the Indian system is confused between the 'Rapers' and 'Rappers'," Shivam garg posted on Twitter.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap too defended Singh, saying, "The country would like to believe that Honey Singh is the reason why rapes take place. Then let me raise my hand too. I did x rated EAtyachar. And I will stand up and say... You don't know what you are doing.. Acting like a mob.. Then everything that offends anyone should be banned.

"The more we get moralistic and try to curb expression. There will be more repression. Repression is the root cause of most evils," Kashyap added.

What seemed to bother many was the hypocrisy of targetting just one artiste while popular cinema and music continued to portray women as eyecandy.

"Ban 'Munni' and 'Sheila' as well. Why Honey Singh alone? Heights of double standards," tweeted Sumateja.

"Given Honey Singh's lyrics are offensive... And 'Mein to tandoori murgi hoon yaar, gatkale saiyan alcohol se' any less offensive??," a user posted while referring to Kareena Kapoor's item song in Salman Khan starrer 'Dabangg 2'. (MORE)