‘Sardaar Ji 3' row: BJP backs Diljit, calls him ‘national asset, global ambassador of Indian culture'

Indian Express

7 hours ago

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come out in support of singer-cum-actor Diljit Dosanjh, stating that the 'politics of targeting the actor should stop' and that the artist is a 'national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture'
Dosanjh's recent film 'Sardaar Ji 3' landed in controversy over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding immediate and strict action against the actor, including 'cancellation of Dosanjh's citizenship'.
The film released overseas Friday (June 27) but not in India. The film's producer, Gunbir Singh Sidhu, had told media that they decided not to release the film in India after the Pahalgam attack as they didn't want to hurt anyone's sentiments. He added that 40 per cent of the film's revenue is expected to be hit with this decision.
Pakistan actress Aamir had also allegedly passed derogatory remarks against India's Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistan, which too were condemned by Sidhu.
In a series of posts on X, BJP national spokesperson R P Singh backed Dosanjh, calling the actor 'not just a celebrated artist… (but) a national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture'.
'FWICE's call to revoke his Indian citizenship over an inadvertent and pre-incident film shoot is not only unfair but shockingly disproportionate. The film featuring a Pakistani actress was shot before the Pahalgam attack. If there is anguish, it can be expressed through a boycott or by urging that the film not be screened in India. But attacking Diljit's patriotism and demanding such an extreme step is simply irrational,' Singh said in a post.
'Just days before the Pahalgam incident, the Indian cricket team played a match against Pakistan. Did FWICE or others object then? TV news channels routinely invite Pakistani guests to boost TRPs. Should those anchors now relinquish their citizenship too? Let's not cheapen nationalism or weaponise patriotism. FWICE should reconsider its stance — such targeting of our own talent only weakens our moral standing,' the post added.
Reacting to calls for a ban on the film, Punjab BJP's Culture Cell Convenor and Punjabi film actor Hobby Dhaliwal addressed a press conference at Chandigarh and extended full support to Dosanjh on behalf of the party.
Dhaliwal said that Dosanjh is not just an artist, but a globally respected face of the Punjabi community. 'At a time of nation's fight against terrorism, attempts are being made to defame him with baseless allegations. This is unfortunate and condemnable,' he said.
He clarified that the film in question was shot well before the Pahalgam terror attack incident, when cultural exchanges between both nations were not banned. The shoot was conducted within legal norms and involved several actors, not just Dosanjh.
Dhaliwal expressed regret that certain elements are now demanding cancellation of the actor's citizenship and a ban on his films — 'a demand that is not only unjustified but politically motivated and entirely baseless', he said.
'Diljit is the son of this soil. Punjab stands with him — and India too,' Dhaliwal added.
He emphasised that every citizen holds patriotic sentiments, but using that as a pretext to target a single artist was completely wrong.