Delhi Police have denied permission for an October 30 concert by Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh on grounds of security and law-and-order concerns, prompting Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke to ask whether the government was now “scared of concerts too”.
The globally popular singer had in July expressed support for the CJP-led Jantar Mantar protests against exam paper leaks. He had condemned the police crackdown on young protesters during a march to Parliament, and urged the government to address their demands.
“Delhi Police will permit all those Babas who create Narrative of hate, not to the Youth Icon who creates Narrative of Love & Punjab,” Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj posted on X.
Diljit and BookMyShow are yet to announce a cancellation, refunds or a new date. The concert remains listed on BookMyShow, with the tickets starting at ₹6,499.
Rightwing trolls have repeatedly targeted Diljit, 42, over his political views and religious identity. He was branded “anti-national” and “Khalistani” after he publicly supported the 2020-21 farmer protests against a set of new agricultural laws.
Last year, however, he came under attack from farmer leaders after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on New Year’s Day, and describing it as a “fantastic start” to the year.
A Delhi Police source said that permission had been denied for the concert following “security threat-related inputs, security and law and order commitments amid the ongoing festive season and other important law-and-order concerns”.
The police have not revealed what the threats are.
“Diljit’s live performances have always spilled beyond the stage and controversies always surround his shows,” a senior police officer told The Telegraph.
“We don’t want to take any chances considering his support to the students’ protest in July. We are already dealing with too many protests and law-and-order issues.”
In June, during a concert held by Diljit at the Chase Center in San Francisco, a pro-Khalistan protester had rushed on the stage with a flag before being arrested.
In mid-2025, Diljit had faced a backlash from Rightwing groups after he cast Pakistani actress Hania Amir in his film Sardaar Ji 3 shortly after an increase in cross-border tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. Rightwing groups demanded a complete domestic ban on his projects, and the film was eventually released overseas.
The singer-actor has been involved in highly publicised social media clashes with actor and BJP parliamentarian Kangana Ranaut, too.
Diljit’s concert, which was to have been held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 30, would have kicked off his seven-city Aura India Tour.
He is to perform in Indore on November 15, Ahmedabad on November 21, Mumbai on November 27, Bengaluru on November 29, and Lucknow on December 5. A concert is planned also in Chandigarh but the date hasn’t been announced.
Diljit last toured India in 2024 with his Dil-Luminati Tour. He has since been performing internationally as part of the Aura World Tour.
Diljit was recently seen in Imtiaz Ali’s film Main Vaapas Aaunga, a “charming story of love and longing” that follows lovers separated during the 1947 Partition.