Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh has reportedly been a United States citizen since 2022, a development that has sparked fresh discussion over his eligibility to enter Indian politics amid growing speculation around his possible political future in Punjab.
According to a media report, Dosanjh has been travelling on a US passport for the past few years and has reportedly been visiting India using an electronic visa since September 2022. The report further suggested that the artist no longer holds Indian citizenship and does not possess an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
Known for strongly embracing his Punjabi roots and often referring to himself as “Main Hoon Punjab,” Dosanjh’s most recent Indian passport was reportedly issued in Mumbai in 2018, while an earlier passport had been obtained in Zambia. The report also claimed that his wife, Sandeep Kaur, is an American citizen and that Dosanjh had listed a residential property in California while applying for US nationality.
The issue gained attention after a Punjab-based civil society platform, Jaago Punjab Manch, publicly appealed to the singer to consider taking on a leadership role in the state. The group, which includes retired officials, professionals and former Army personnel, reportedly viewed Dosanjh as a public figure capable of influencing social and political change in Punjab at a time when the state faces economic challenges and concerns related to drug abuse.
However, the singer quickly dismissed rumours of a political entry. Reacting to the speculation on social media platform X, Dosanjh clarified that politics was not part of his plans and stated that he was content with his career in the entertainment industry.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also weighed in on the matter, alleging that certain political forces were attempting to encourage celebrities to enter politics following the rise of actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay in Tamil Nadu.
The report further noted that if Dosanjh ever decides to contest elections or formally join politics in India, he would first need to reacquire Indian citizenship. Under provisions of the Citizenship Act, a foreign national seeking Indian citizenship must satisfy specific residency requirements before becoming eligible.
The discussion surrounding Dosanjh’s citizenship status comes at a time when the singer has also been making headlines internationally over controversies linked to his concerts abroad. Reports had earlier suggested that some pro-Khalistan supporters attempted to create disruptions during his performances in Canadian cities such as Vancouver and Calgary.
Dosanjh had reportedly objected to disturbances during the events and later described attempts to link him with such controversies as a “fake narrative,” asserting that he would not allow harassment or disruption affecting his audience and fans.
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