Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Thursday strongly condemned the BJP for what he described as its continued hatred towards Punjab and Punjabis, citing the Insult of renowned Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi at an event in Uttarakhand, the cancellation of permissions for Diljit Dosanjh’s Delhi show, and the treatment meted out to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann at Delhi airport.
Addressing the media, Dhaliwal said the BJP, despite leading the government at the Centre, had repeatedly demonstrated a discriminatory attitude towards Sikhs, Punjabis and minority communities. He said the treatment of prominent Punjabi personalities reflected the party’s narrow and divisive thinking and deserved the strongest condemnation.
Referring to the incident involving Daler Mehndi at a program in Uttarakhand, Dhaliwal said the manner in which a BJP minister insulted the celebrated Punjabi singer was deeply condemnable. He said Daler Mehndi had earned immense love and recognition worldwide, and disrespecting an artist of his stature exposed the BJP’s attitude towards Punjab’s people and culture.
Dhaliwal also raised the issue of Diljit Dosanjh’s scheduled show in Delhi, which was initially planned for November 1. He said the singer had obtained permission for the event but was subsequently asked to change the date because of the historical events associated with November 1 in Delhi. Then for proposed alternative date of October 30, he was denied necessary clearance.
He said Diljit Dosanjh had brought global recognition to Punjab through his music and performances, attracting audiences in large numbers wherever he performed in the world. Preventing such an artist from holding a show in Delhi raised serious questions about the treatment of Punjabi artists, Dhaliwal said.
“Punjabis have a strong presence in Delhi, where they have made significant contributions to business, culture and society. Punjabi is widely spoken in Delhi, and our people have brought pride to the national capital. Denying a Punjabi artist permission to perform, despite his immense popularity, is deeply disappointing,” he said.
Dhaliwal questioned whether Diljit Dosanjh was being treated unfairly because of his Sikh identity and Punjabi background. He said the singer had performed before audiences across the world without facing such restrictions, making the developments in Delhi particularly troubling.
The AAP MLA also condemned the treatment meted to Punjab’s Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann at Delhi airport upon his return from France. He said that the Chief Minister was deliberately humiliated under the pretext of excess baggage.
Dhaliwal questioned the justification for the action, arguing that baggage weight is ordinarily checked at the point of departure and that any excess baggage should have been addressed there in France. He said the manner in which the Chief Minister was treated raised concerns about the Centre’s attitude towards a leader who consistently speaks up for Punjab and its people.
“Bhagwant Mann is among the few Chief Ministers who openly raise state’s issues before the Central government. While many others hesitate to confront the Centre, Mann Sahib and the AAP stand firm in defending Punjab’s rights. The way he was treated at Delhi airport is highly condemnable,” Dhaliwal said.
Emphasising Punjab’s historic contribution to India’s independence, Dhaliwal said Punjabis had made enormous sacrifices to free the country from British rule and had played a defining role in the freedom struggle. He said the community deserved respect, not discrimination or humiliation.
Dhaliwal appealed to Punjabis living across India and around the world to recognise what he described as the BJP’s continued disregard for Punjab and its people. He warned the BJP leadership that persisting with such politics would have serious consequences and urged it to change its approach towards Punjabis and Sikhs.
“The BJP must change this discriminatory policy. Punjabis have sacrificed immensely for this country and have always contributed to its progress. They will not accept repeated insults to their identity, their artists or their elected leadership,” Dhaliwal said.
