Last Updated: September 23, 2023, 13:08 IST
(From Left) Punjabi singers Shubh, Jazzy B and Sidhu Moosewala. (News18)
With newer generations of Punjabi singers developing — most of whom are primarily based in Canada or US — India has seen an uptick in anti-India, pro-Khalistan propaganda music being peddled within the type of tune and rap
What ties collectively Sidhu Moosewala, Shubhneet Singh aka Shubh, Jazzy B, Hard Kaur and lots of different rappers and singers who’ve hit headlines within the latest previous? Apart from their Punjabi origins, it’s their help — covert or overt — for the Khalistan trigger, a lot to the chagrin of a bit of their followers in addition to India.
The newest artiste to have raised eyebrows is 25-year-old Canadian singer Shubh who got here beneath hearth for sharing a distorted map of India in an Instagram submit. In Singh’s submit, which was throughout the time of Khalistani chief Amritpal Singh’s arrest in Punjab, the areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and the whole Northeast of India have been lacking — in keeping with the narrative marketed by the Pakistani ISI and Khalistani propagandists.
The furore in India in the end led to his concern being cancelled after sponsors, sensing the rising hostility, pulled out.
Seeking to clear his stand, Shubh — who burst onto the music scene along with his first tune ‘We Rollin’ on September 17, 2021 — launched into damage-control mode and stated “India is MY country too” and “Punjabis do not need to give proof of patriotism”. The singer additional requested that everybody chorus from branding each “Punjabi as a separatist or anti-national”.
Punjabi singers are identified to get pleasure from immense reputation among the many diaspora. However, of late, it appears the identical audience has develop into an excuse for the artistes to color their songs with extremist undertones and burst onto the worldwide scene.
With newer generations of Punjabi singers developing — most of whom are primarily based in Canada or US — India has seen an uptick in anti-India, pro-Khalistan propaganda music being peddled within the type of tune and rap. Certain members overtly sympathise with the Khalistan motion and glorify gun-culture, anarchy, lawlessness, gangs, anti-India sentiments and sectarian supremacy via their music.
Singer Sidhu Moose Wala, who was shot lifeless in Punjab in May final yr, toyed with the thought of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the assassination of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, Khalistan and revenge from India.
His posthumously launched tune “Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal” not solely performed with the themes above but in addition touched upon the thought of Punjab not sharing water with some other state and referred to as for the return of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh to its jurisdiction.
A preferred identify among the many youth, Moose Wala’s pro-Khalistani themes — coupled with refined music and video manufacturing — have been made palatable and “cool” for the brand new era.
Another common artist who was a rage within the 90s, Jazzy B, has been accused of creating references to Bhindranwale. Punjabi rapper Hard Kaur — who additionally showcased her expertise in a number of Bollywood movies — additionally used a distorted map of India and footage of Bhindranwale in her social media submit throughout the farmers’ protest in India.
The allegations of being a Khalistani sympathiser have been additionally levelled on singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh who’s a well known identify not solely within the international Punjabi music trade but in addition in Bollywood. He was accused by Congress chief Ravneet Singh Bittu of supporting requires Khalistan. Dosanjh had then come out to defend himself and stated he was an Indian taxpayer who all the time stood shoulder to shoulder with the nation.
Apart from these names, different Punjabi singers similar to Tarsem Jassar, Sharry Maan, and Himmat Sandhu, have confronted accusations of posting comparable statements relating to Punjab, which have ignited controversy surrounding the Khalistan motion.
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Source: www.news18.com
