Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh has come under fire from protesting farmer leaders after his New Year's Day meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Farmer groups expressed disappointment, questioning his commitment to the farmers’ cause, reported The Times of India.
Diljit described his interaction with the Prime Minister as a “fantastic start” to 2024, with PM Modi praising the artist’s journey from “humble beginnings to international stardom.” However, farmer leaders voiced concern over his priorities.
Farmers Question Diljit’s Actions
“If Diljit truly cared about the farmers, he would have come to the Sambhu Border and shown solidarity with Dallewal Ji. Listening to our concerns would have reinforced his earlier support for the movement. Meeting PM Modi instead raises questions about his intentions,” a farmer leader at the protest site told TOI.
Diljit’s Support in 2020
In 2020, Diljit Dosanjh openly supported the farmers’ protests, urging the government to address their demands. On Instagram, he had written:
“25 September. We all will stand with the farmer community. Every single person of all age groups from Punjab is standing with the farmers. Everyone who is defending the bill, at least try to talk to the farmers. Punjabi language has been eradicated from Government languages in Jammu and Kashmir. What is happening?”
Farmers now feel betrayed, citing his past advocacy as inconsistent with his recent actions.
Farmers’ Current Struggle
The farmers’ protests continue at the Sambhu Border, where Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been on a hunger strike. His demands include a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
Thousands of farmers have rallied at the protest site in solidarity with Dallewal, who has refused medical intervention despite efforts by the Punjab government to ensure his well-being. Following a directive from the Supreme Court, the state government has been instructed to monitor his health and comply with its orders regarding hospitalisation.
Diljit’s Meeting with PM Modi
During their meeting, PM Modi praised Diljit’s achievements, remarking, “When a boy from a small village in ‘Hindustan’ shines on the global stage, it feels amazing. Your family named you Diljit, and you truly live up to your name by winning hearts everywhere.”
In response, Diljit said, “We used to read the phrase ‘Mera Bharat Mahan’ (My India is great), but travelling across India has helped me understand why people say this.”
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