New Delhi: Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has extended his support to students who allegedly faced lathi-charge and tear gas during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protest in Delhi, days after distancing himself from the demonstration.
The actor-singer also acknowledged that his latest stance could once again invite accusations of being anti-national.
Diljit took to Instagram to extend his support for the students and wrote, “Aj Jo hoyea Baut Maada Hoyea.. Students Naal Edan Treat Nhi Hona Chaida c.. Mai Authorities Nu Request Karda Ke Students Dian Demands Nu sunn Leya Javey.. Lokan Di Avaaz Rab Di Avaaz Hundi Aa…(What happened today was very wrong. Students should not have been treated like this. I request the authorities to listen to the students’ demands. The voice of the people is the voice of God).”
Referring to the time when he was called anti-national for supporting the farmers’ protest, he wrote, “Mere Te Already Anti Nationalist Da Tag Baut Vaar Lagg Chuka.. Hun V Mainu Anti-nationalist Keha Jaega. After Kisan Protest.. I faced a Lot of Backlash & Legal Problems which I can’t Even Discuss.. BAKI RAB SAB DEKH REHA, BABA BHALLI KARU (I have already been labelled an ‘anti-national’ many times. Even now, I know I will be called anti-national again. After the farmers’ protest, I faced a lot of backlash and legal problems that I still cannot even discuss. The rest, God is watching everything. May Baba bless everyone).”
During an Instagram Live session earlier this month, Diljit was asked by a fan if he would be joining the CJP-led protest.
In response, the actor-singer made it clear that he had no involvement in the demonstration, reiterating that he is an artist and not a politician.
“Keep me away from all this… Bro, I’m an artist. I’m no politician, I don’t know what you think I am,” he said.
He also quoted a well-known verse from the Guru Granth Sahib, “Nanak dukhiya sab sansar, so sukhiya jis naam aadhaara,” which means that the entire world is immersed in sorrow, while those who take refuge in God are truly at peace.
He further added, “Look, everything can never be right. Everything in this world can never be right… So, those who are protesting, congratulations to them, and for whom the protest is happening, congratulations to them also, as I don’t know anything.”
On Monday, the CJP organised a protest march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament over the alleged NEET paper leak.
The demonstrators called for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, justice for students impacted by examination irregularities, and broader reforms in the education system.
The protest later turned tense when the Delhi Police allegedly used barricades, lathi-charge and tear gas to prevent the crowd from proceeding towards Parliament.