Diljit Dosanjh has had a groundbreaking year. From making history at Coachella in 2023 to selling out concert tours across the West, his success has resonated globally.
Back in India, he achieved acclaim with hit films, multi-city tours, and his unique ability to challenge the Hindu Right-wing narrative without fear.
Resisting right-wing intimidation
Dosanjh has faced political opposition at home, but his response is always playful, never angry or fearful. During a concert in Indore, he invoked Rahat Indori’s powerful words:
“Agar khilaf hain, hone do, jaan thodi hai” and “Kisi ke baap ka Hindustan thodi hai?” This lighthearted defiance struck a chord with his audience while targeting the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which protested his show over contrived controversies, ranging from liquor sales to “love jihad.”
The VHP’s Avinash Kaushal even accused Dosanjh of supporting the farmers' protests and being sympathetic to Khalistan, a claim that highlighted the political motivations behind the criticism.
A cheeky approach to resistance
Throughout his ten-city tour, which concludes in Ludhiana on December 31, Dosanjh has cleverly countered every attack. In Delhi, he wrapped himself in the tricolor, celebrating India’s diversity.
When Telangana officials banned songs about alcohol, he complied but quipped that he’d stop singing about liquor when India closed its liquor shops. In Ahmedabad, he joked about not receiving any warnings that day.
Even social media wasn’t spared. Critics latched onto his spelling of “Panjab” in a tweet, calling it evidence of Khalistani leanings. However, this spelling has historical roots and better reflects the Gurmukhi pronunciation.
From outsider to cultural icon
Seven years ago, Dosanjh was seen as an outsider in Bollywood. As a Sikh man, he defied the industry’s typical portrayal of Sikh characters as either comic relief or nationalistic symbols.
Today, he is no longer an outlier but a transgressor—someone who disrupts the Right-wing’s narrow vision of Indian identity.
His unique aesthetic—a blend of traditional turbans and modern luxury sneakers—represents a fusion of tradition and modernity. His use of Punjabi, Hindi, and English reflects a borderless identity.
Whether collaborating with Ed Sheeran or advocating for Indian farmers, Dosanjh refuses to fit into convenient cultural or political boxes.
Patriotism redefined
Dosanjh’s patriotism is not limited to symbolic gestures. It is bold, inclusive, and rooted in action. When he invited a Pakistani fan on stage in Manchester and gifted her his shoes, he reminded everyone of Punjabiyat’s shared heritage that transcends borders.
His declaration “Main Hoon Punjab” challenges the idea that regional and national identities are mutually exclusive.
In his recent portrayal of Amar Singh Chamkila, Dosanjh faced parallels with the moral panic that Chamkila endured decades ago. Where Chamkila faced death threats, Dosanjh faces online trolls and administrative hurdles.
A joyful subversion
By embracing joy and humor, Dosanjh exposes the pettiness of his detractors. His global success and refusal to conform highlight the complexity of Indian identity, making it clear that it cannot be confined to narrow definitions.
In his own playful yet powerful way, Diljit Dosanjh has shown that resistance can be joyful, and patriotism can be as vast and inclusive as India itself.
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