Diljit postpones US concert after flak on Pak sponsor
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has decided to postpone his Houston, US concert scheduled to take place on September 21, after facing criticism that the concert had a Pakistani sponsor. The singer-actor had to clarify, after a Mumbai Mirror report pointing out the Pak connection, that he “loves his country”.
On Wednesday afternoon, he tweeted: “I have just become aware of a letter issued by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) to me by an article published in the Mumbai Mirror today, I was
not aware of any such intimation by the Federation before today. I would like to state my contract is only with “Shri Balaji Entertainment”. My dealings and agreement is with them only and nobody else that is mentioned in the article or Federation Letter (sic).”
However, he wrote that in light of the FWICE letter, he has “decided to postpone” the Houston show. Diljit’s tweet also mentioned, “I love my country and will always stand for the greater interest of the nation. INDIA ALWAYS.”
According to the report, the Federation asked Diljit to “cancel his commitment in the interest, sentiments and dignity of the nation”. The letter, addressed to Diljit, stated, “We have come to know that you have accepted the invitation of Mr Rehan Siddiqi (a Pakistani National) to stage your performance as singer in America...”
Supporting Diljit’s gesture, Ashoke Pandit, the chief advisor of FWICE, tweeted: “This kind of a stand sends a strong message that for Indians country comes first irrespective of prejudices and choices.”