Diljit Dosanjh’s respectful gesture toward Amitabh Bachchan sparks Khalistani backlash

Highlights:

• Banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) threatens to shut down Dosanjh’s Australia concert on November 1.
  
• The group calls his act of touching Amitabh Bachchan’s feet an insult to 1984 riot victims.
  
• Dosanjh recently went viral for the gesture on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17.
  
• Despite the controversy, the singer sold out his Sydney stadium show.
  

SFJ links Dosanjh’s gesture to 1984 riots

Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has come under fire from the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) after he touched Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan’s feet during a recent television appearance. The group claims the gesture “disrespects the memory” of the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued a statement condemning the act, saying, “By touching the feet of Amitabh Bachchan, the man whose words fuelled the 1984 genocide, Diljit Dosanjh has insulted every victim, every widow, and every orphan of the 1984 Sikh genocide.”

He further accused the singer of “betrayal” and called for a boycott of his upcoming concert in Australia on November 1, which coincides with what SFJ calls the “Day of Remembrance” for the 1984 tragedy.

Call for boycott and summons to Sikh religious body

The group has written to Jathedar Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, urging him to summon Dosanjh to explain his actions in light of a 2010 decree that designates November as Sikh Genocide Month.

SFJ also appealed to Sikh institutions, artists, and audiences to avoid collaborating with individuals they claim are “whitewashing or trivializing” the 1984 riots that followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.

Viral moment on national television

The controversy stems from Dosanjh’s appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, where he touched Amitabh Bachchan’s feet upon arriving on set. Bachchan, who affectionately introduced him as “Punjab de puttar” (son of Punjab), responded with a hug, drawing applause from the audience.

The clip quickly went viral on social media, with many fans praising Dosanjh for his humility and respect toward the veteran actor.

Historic milestone amid controversy

Despite the political backlash, Dosanjh’s Aura Tour in Australia has been a massive success. He recently became the first Indian artist to sell out a full stadium show in Sydney, performing to a crowd of around 30,000 fans. Tickets reportedly sold for as high as $800 each.

The singer-actor has not yet responded publicly to SFJ’s statements or threats.