JALANDHAR: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) strongly condemns the malicious attempts to label internationally acclaimed actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh as “anti-national.” These baseless allegations not only lack credibility but also reflect a dangerous trend of vilifying artists who have elevated India’s image on the global stage through talent, discipline, and sheer hard work.
NAPA, Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal, in a press release issued here, said that "Diljit Dosanjh is not just a beloved artist of Punjab, but a global ambassador of Indian culture. To call someone who has brought Punjabi language and music to international arenas like Coachella ‘anti-national’ is an insult to every Indian who takes pride in our cultural exports.”
Instead of celebrating our artists’ global success, a narrow-minded segment of society is attempting to drag them down with politically motivated narratives. Dosanjh’s music and films have repeatedly emphasised Punjabi pride, social harmony, and cultural unity, values that align deeply with the Indian Constitution and democratic ethos. His voice resonates with youth from rural Punjab to international cities, inspiring them to embrace their roots and represent India with dignity.
NAPA would also like to point out a striking hypocrisy in the film and music industry. While some critics target Dosanjh, they conveniently ignore the rampant use of Pakistani-origin music in mainstream Bollywood movies. Countless Hindi film songs today are recreated or directly inspired by Pakistani composers and singers, yet the industry rarely faces the same moral questioning. Where is the outrage when these melodies are celebrated in films promoted by the same people who now attack Diljit?
The Punjabi community worldwide stands with Diljit Dosanjh—an artist who represents the true face of modern India: diverse, democratic, and dignified. Attempts to silence such voices are attempts to suppress the soul of Indian artistic freedom.
NAPA urges all Indians, especially those in the diaspora, to recognise and resist the trend of labelling individuals without evidence. Our nation’s strength lies in its pluralism and creativity, not in silencing dissent or diversity.