Within hours of Diljit Dosanjh's event in Delhi being cancelled, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday linked it to the government's crackdown on dissent, saying that the singer had been targeted for speaking out during the farmers' protest and for his movies. The AAP claimed the government was trying to send a message to other superstars through Diljit Dosanjh.
"Diljit Dosanjh is among the few artistes who raised his voice for our farmers when they were sitting at the borders. When the police allegedly brutalised students, he raised his voice for them," said Delhi AAP President Saurabh Bhardwaj to ANI.
"I believe the government is sending a message to all big superstars that if you go against the government, it will shut down your work and livelihood," said Bhardwaj.
Diljit's concert was scheduled to take place at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 30. The event had to be cancelled because the Delhi Police denied permission citing security concerns during the festive season.
The Delhi event was part of Diljit Dosanjh's India leg of his Aura Tour. The seven-city tour follows his concerts in Europe and North America, with pre-sale tickets opening on October 6.
Bhardwaj said Diljit's bitter exchange with Kangana Ranaut on social media. "Because of that, when he made a film called Satluj about terrorism in Punjab and police brutality, the government banned it here as well, which was quite unexpected," he said.
The AAP Delhi President counted Diljit among the stars who dared to speak their mind, and spoke about the recent gun attack on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff. He named Suniel Shetty for not naming the government.
"Because we don't want such cowardly superheroes who cannot even raise their voice for someone like Tiger Shroff," said Bhardwaj.
"On one hand, there is Suniel Shetty, who says he is Jackie Shroff's best friend. He gave such a long statement, but he did not even mention the name of that gangster or the government. India does not need such cowardly heroes. There is no need for these people," Bhardwaj said.
Punjab minister and AAP state president Aman Arora also slammed the BJP-led Centre over the cancellation, accusing it of double standards on law and order.
"The cancellation of Diljit Dosanjh's show in Delhi proves that the BJP and the Central government, which question Punjab's law and order situation every day, are themselves unable to host a concert by the country's heartthrob and Punjab's pride, Diljit Dosanjh, citing law and order concerns as the sole reason," he said.
"This means that law and order in the national capital, which is under the Centre's control, has completely collapsed. They should stop coming to Punjab and lecturing us on law and order," Arora added.
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