Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa deactivated his X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday following a wave of backlash tied to a veiled social media post widely interpreted as a critique of fellow artist Diljit Dosanjh.
The controversy erupted shortly after Randhawa’s cryptic message, which appeared to question the national allegiance of an unnamed celebrity. The timing coincided with the overseas release of Sardaar Ji 3, a film starring Dosanjh alongside Pakistani actor Hania Aamir—a casting choice that has drawn criticism in the wake of heightened Indo-Pakistani tensions.
“Even if now your citizenship is not Indian, but you were born here, please remember this. This country made great artists, and we are all proud of it. Please be proud of where you were born,” Randhawa posted. The statement, though not naming anyone directly, led fans to connect the dots, particularly given Dosanjh’s prominent public presence and cross-border collaborations.
Social media users swiftly reminded Randhawa of his own past work, notably his hit song Lagdi Lahore, which mentions the Pakistani city. Critics accused the singer of hypocrisy and politicising artistic exchanges.
This isn’t the first time Randhawa stirred online murmurs targeting Diljit. Just days earlier, he posted: “When the PR team is more talented than the talent itself, controversies become part of the daily routine… God bless the fake PR and the artists.”
Diljit Dosanjh, for his part, addressed the film’s context in a BBC interview, clarifying that Sardaar Ji 3 was shot earlier this year when political conditions were stable. With the situation changing, producers opted for an overseas release to recoup investments.
As debates on nationalism and artistic integrity flood social platforms, Guru Randhawa’s abrupt exit from X leaves fans—and critics—wondering whether public commentary can truly remain apolitical in today’s hyperconnected world.
