BJP Rebukes Canadian PM Trudeau for Mislabeling Diljit Dosanjh as ‘Singer from Punjab’

BJP Rebukes Canadian PM Trudeau for Mislabeling Diljit Dosanjh as ‘Singer from Punjab’

New Delhi, July 15, 2024 – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday expressed stern disapproval of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s characterization of actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh as a ‘singer from Punjab,’ terming it a ‘deliberate mischief through wordplay.’

The rebuke followed a video shared by Trudeau, where he made a brief stopover at one of Diljit Dosanjh’s concert venues, greeting the artist rehearsing for his upcoming performance at Toronto’s Rogers Centre stadium. In his post on X, the Canadian PM wrote, “Stopped by Rogers Centre to wish Diljit Dosanjh good luck before his show. Canada is a great country – one guy from Punjab can make history and sell out stadiums. Diversity isn’t just our strength. It’s a super-power.”

BJP spokesperson Manjinder Singh Sirsa took exception to Trudeau’s praise, emphasizing that Diljit Dosanjh is an Indian artist. “Let me correct this, Mr Prime Minister. Your gesture of lauding a fantastic artiste like Diljit Dosanjh has been totally overshadowed by your deliberate mischief through wordplay,” Sirsa posted on X.

Diljit Dosanjh, who has been receiving widespread acclaim for his latest film ‘Jatt and Juliet 3,’ recently held a sold-out show at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. He commenced his four-nation ‘Dil-Luminati’ concert tour in Canada and will soon be performing in India with his troupe.

The BJP’s condemnation holds significance as Canada had previously criticized India over freedom of expression during the farmers’ protest, despite handling its own domestic protests firmly. Additionally, Trudeau’s emphasis on Punjab ahead of the elections is seen as an attempt to garner support from the large Sikh community in Canada.

By addressing this mischaracterization, the BJP aims to reaffirm Diljit Dosanjh’s identity as an Indian artist, while also highlighting the perceived political motivations behind Trudeau’s statements.