Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh recently found himself at the centre of controversy after a Khalistani outfit issued threats against him for showing respect to veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan. The incident occurred following the release of a promotional clip from the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 (KBC), which aired on October 31. A day before the episode’s telecast, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a banned Khalistani group, targeted Dosanjh over a promotional video that showed him touching Bachchan’s feet. SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun subsequently issued a warning to the singer, threatening to disrupt his upcoming concert in Australia scheduled for November 1.
In the wake of the controversy, Dosanjh took to Instagram to share a cryptic but pointed clarification. Without directly addressing the threats, he explained that his participation in the show was driven by social concerns rather than self-promotion.
Posting on his Instagram story in Punjabi, the singer wrote, “Na Mai Kisey Film Di Promotion Lai Geya c, Na Kisey Ganey Di Promotion Lai. Punjab Floods Lai Geya C..Ke National Level Te Gal Hove.. Te Loki Donate kar Sakan."
The message translates to: “I hadn’t gone there to promote any film or song. I went for the Punjab floods… so that the issue could be discussed at the national level and people could come forward to donate."
Dosanjh’s appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, was intended to draw attention to flood relief efforts in Punjab.
The controversy
In a statement shared by the group, SFJ alleged that Bachchan had played a role in inciting violence during the 1984 riots following former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination. “By touching feet of Bachchan, the man whose words orchestrated Genocide, Diljit Dosanjh has insulted every victim, every widow, and every orphan of 1984 Sikh Genocide," Pannun was quoted as saying.
The outfit claimed that Bachchan had allegedly used the slogan “Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (Blood for Blood)" during the riots, which they said “unleashed violence in which over 30,000 Sikh men, women, and children were killed across India." Reports added that the group called Dosanjh’s gesture an “insult to every victim" of the tragedy.
As of now, Dosanjh has not responded publicly to the threat. The singer is currently on his Aura Tour and continues to perform internationally.
For context, the 1984 anti-Sikh riots broke out a day after Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. According to government records, about 2,800 people were killed in Delhi and over 3,300 across India. The Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar later declared November 1 as Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day in memory of those who lost their lives.
Source: News18