The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly defended Punjabi actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh, condemning calls to revoke his Indian citizenship following the controversy over his latest film Sardaar Ji 3. The party has urged an end to what it called 'politics of targeting' the artist, hailing him as a 'national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture.'
FWICE Demands Cancellation Of Dosanjh’s Indian Citizenship
The controversy erupted after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding strict action against Dosanjh for featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his film. The FWICE went as far as urging for the cancellation of Dosanjh’s Indian citizenship. The film was shot well before the recent Pahalgam terror attack, and while it released overseas on June 27, the producers withheld its India release to avoid hurting public sentiments.
BJP Extends Support For Diljit
In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), BJP national spokesperson R.P. Singh voiced support for Dosanjh, stating, “He is not just a celebrated artist; he is a national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture.” Singh called FWICE’s demands “shockingly disproportionate,” pointing out that the film’s shoot occurred before the Pahalgam attack and that retroactive outrage was unwarranted.
“TV channels often host Pakistani guests, and the Indian cricket team recently played Pakistan, were those moments criticised too?” Singh questioned. He urged FWICE to reconsider its stance and warned against weaponising patriotism to target Indian talent.
Joining the support, Punjabi film actor and BJP Punjab Culture Cell Convenor Hobby Dhaliwal addressed a press conference in Chandigarh. Dhaliwal condemned the attempt to tarnish Dosanjh’s image and reiterated that the film’s production complied with legal norms. He emphasised that Dosanjh, “a respected face of the Punjabi community,” is being wrongly targeted for political reasons.
“Diljit is the son of this soil. Punjab stands with him, and India too,” Dhaliwal said, expressing disappointment over the baseless allegations. He added that patriotism should not be used as a political weapon against artists contributing to India’s global cultural identity.
Producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu confirmed that around 40 per cent of the film’s projected earnings would be impacted by the decision not to screen it in India. He also condemned past statements made by actress Hania Aamir, who allegedly made remarks critical of India’s Operation Sindoor, a counterterrorism strike, further inflaming tensions.
