Amidst the ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, iconic Punjabi singer Gurdas Mann has opted to cancel his highly-anticipated tour of Canada, originally scheduled for later this month. The decision was announced by the production house responsible for the tour, which deemed it the “most responsible and necessary course of action” given the current circumstances.
The cancellation of Gurdas Mann’s tour comes against the backdrop of a diplomatic rift between India and Canada that has been escalating in recent weeks. At the heart of the dispute lies allegations surrounding the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, with Canada accusing India of involvement—a charge vehemently denied by India.
India had sought specific information regarding the allegations, which it claims Canada failed to provide in a timely manner, leading to a diplomatic breakdown. The situation deteriorated to the point where India suspended its visa services in Canada, and Canada began relocating its diplomats from India, citing allegations of interference in internal affairs.
A further point of contention in the dispute is Canada’s alleged provision of a safe haven to Khalistani terrorists, a matter about which India had repeatedly alerted Canada. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was one such individual, although Canada had recognized him as a religious leader. Canada, which houses the largest Sikh population outside of Punjab, has seen its fair share of controversies involving Punjabi artists.
Prior to Gurdas Mann’s cancellation, Canada-based rapper Shubhneet Singh had faced backlash and the cancellation of his first-ever India tour in September due to his pro-Khalistani views. His social media post featuring a distorted map of India had ignited outrage, prompting him to emphasize his Indian roots and patriotism.
Shubhneet Singh asserted, “Punjabis do not need to give proof of patriotism. At every turn in history, Punjabis have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this country.”
This controversy has not spared other Punjabi artists either, with Indo-Canadian rapper AP Dhillon facing a boycott call after expressing solidarity with Shubhneet Singh. The situation has also ensnared acclaimed artist Diljit Dosanjh, who found himself embroiled in the Khalistani row on multiple occasions.
In light of these tumultuous events and escalating tensions, Gurdas Mann has chosen to defer his Canada tour. He has assured his devoted fans that all purchased tickets will be promptly refunded and has promised to announce new tour dates in the near future.
As the diplomatic dispute between India and Canada continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the cultural exchange between the two nations and the Punjabi artists who have found themselves caught in the crossfire.
Sources By Agencies
