Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu on Wednesday accused Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh of exploiting Punjab’s emotional and historical issues for commercial gain, alleging that the controversy surrounding the film based on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra was part of a calculated publicity campaign rather than a genuine effort to highlight Punjab’s past.
Speaking to reporters during a private visit to Ludhiana, Bittu said the film was being projected as a cause linked to Punjab and the Sikh community, but alleged that its primary objective was commercial success. “This film is not meant to serve Punjab or the Sikh community. It is a well-planned commercial venture designed to earn crores of rupees,” he said.
Stepping up his criticism, Bittu described Dosanjh as a “bahurupiya” (opportunist) and alleged that the actor changes his stand according to where he sees financial benefit. “Wherever he sees money, that is where he goes,” Bittu said, alleging that Dosanjh presents different narratives before different audiences and uses sensitive issues to advance his career.
The Union Minister also questioned Dosanjh’s position on speaking about Punjab’s suffering, referring to his portrayal of singer Amar Singh Chamkila in a biographical film. “He acted in a film on Amar Singh Chamkila and today wants to project himself as a champion of Sikh causes. People should judge that contradiction,” Bittu said.
Referring to Jaswant Singh Khalra’s human rights campaign, Bittu alleged that Dosanjh was not associated with those struggles at the time. “When Jaswant Singh Khalra was fighting for human rights in Punjab, where was Diljit Dosanjh? Today he wants to project himself as the voice of Punjab’s pain,” he said.
Bittu also criticised Dosanjh over his public interactions with veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, alleging that the actor had shown respect to personalities whom he associated with the political circumstances surrounding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He claimed such actions were inconsistent with the actor’s present attempts to speak on Sikh issues.
Rejecting allegations that the film was removed from OTT platforms because of government pressure, Bittu maintained that there had been no official intervention. “There was no government pressure to remove the film from OTT. The producers withdrew it after achieving their commercial objective. It was a publicity stunt,” he said.
He further asserted that streaming platforms function independently. “The government does not control OTT platforms. They can stream content whenever they choose. Nobody is stopping them,” Bittu added.
Commenting on the legacy of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, Bittu said no criminal case had been registered against Jaswant Singh Khalra during Beant Singh’s tenure. “No criminal case was registered against Jaswant Singh Khalra during Beant Singh’s tenure as Chief Minister. Historical facts should not be distorted,” he said, adding that Khalra was allegedly picked up only after Beant Singh’s assassination.
Bittu also advised Punjab BJP leaders not to adopt a defensive approach while responding to questions relating to the militancy period. “The BJP was neither in power at the Centre nor in Punjab during much of that period. Our leaders should not remain on the defensive over events that had nothing to do with the party,” he said.
The Minister’s remarks come amid continuing political debate over the Jaswant Singh Khalra-based film, its OTT release and competing narratives surrounding Punjab’s history, with the controversy drawing reactions from political parties as well as members of the entertainment industry.