Highlights:
- Diljit Dosanjh pauses Calgary concert over pro-Khalistan flags
- Defends appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati amid criticism
- Says he uses platforms to highlight Punjab’s issues
- References The Tonight Show appearance and Komagata Maru incident
- SFJ earlier called for boycott over Amitabh Bachchan controversy
Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh briefly paused his concert in Calgary, Canada, during his ongoing Aura Tour after noticing some audience members waving pro-Khalistan flags. Videos of the moment have surfaced online, showing the artist addressing the situation mid-performance.
Responding to criticism from sections of the Punjabi community and controversy linked to his past public appearances, Dosanjh spoke directly to the crowd. Referring to his participation in Kaun Banega Crorepati, he said, “My job is not to do charity. But whichever platform I go on, I always talk about Punjab. We often say the national media doesn’t talk about Punjab enough. I went everywhere, including on that channel (Kaun Banega Crorepati) for the sake of Punjab. I put forth Punjab’s issues there. I’ve even donated generously to my state whenever needed.”
In 2025, Dosanjh had appeared on the show and donated his earnings toward Punjab flood relief. Elaborating further, he added, “We can give the money, we are giving it to the people. But they had made a donation, people from all over India can donate. To help the poor. That’s why I went there. If you still have an issue that I sat across someone on television…jinne jhande dikhane dilkhai challo (then keep waving how many flags you want to).”
Highlighting his international outreach, Dosanjh also referenced his recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “I even went on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to talk about Punjab and the Guru Nanak Jahaz incident. I didn’t go there to promote any film or song. I went there to bring Punjab and its issues to light so the national media would cover them," he said.
During that appearance, he recalled the Komagata Maru incident while reflecting on the response he has received abroad. “In 1914, when our people came to Canada for the first time, they didn’t allow us in. That stadium is just two kilometers away from that port. That’s a big thing for us, 55,000 people in the stadium. They didn’t allow us to come, but now we’re here,” he said.
The singer has previously faced criticism from pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which had announced plans to “shut down” his concert in Australia on November 1, coinciding with Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day observed by the Akal Takht.
The controversy followed an incident where Dosanjh was seen touching the feet of Amitabh Bachchan, which SFJ criticized. In a statement, SFJ general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said the gesture had “insulted every victim, widow and orphan of the 1984 Sikh Genocide”.
The group also alleged that Bachchan had “publicly incited Hindustani mobs” with the slogan “Khoon Ka Badla Khoon” — “Blood for Blood” — in connection with the anti-Sikh violence that followed in 1984.
Calling Dosanjh’s scheduled concert a “mockery of remembrance”, SFJ urged Sikh groups and artists worldwide to boycott the event and announced plans for a Panthic Shutdown Rally. It also said it had written to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, seeking an explanation from the singer.
The Akal Takht had in 2010 formally declared the 1984 killings as a “genocide” and designated November 1 as Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day. “Remembrance is not for sale, and genocide cannot be normalized for applause,” SFJ said in its statement.
