Photo: AP Dhillon, Shubh & Karan Aujla
Punjabi Rap and R&B superstars Karan Aujla and AP Dhillon have joined Sidhu Moose Wala’s parents Balkaur Singh Sidhu and Charan Kaur and expressed concerns over vehement criticism meted out to Shubh.
On Thursday, the 24-year-old emcee and songwriter, who was gearing up for his performances across 10 major Indian cities as part of his massive “Still Rollin World Tour”, was allegedly forced to cancel the almost 2-month long tour in India and accused of encouraging separatism this March.
In what turned out to be testing times for the rapper, an irked faction of Indian citizens even vandalised and tore down the promotional posters for Shubh’s forthcoming concert in Mumbai.
Amidst the disturbing controversy, Punjab’s influential emcee and singer AP Dhillon called out “special interest and political groups” for furthering their “divisive agenda” at the behest of an artist’s “public image.”
“…it is clear to me that regardless of what I say or do, it is a lost cause… someone, somewhere, is going to spin the narrative to their liking and create more division” Dhillon said in an IG story.
AP Dhillon calls out “special interest and political groups” for furthering their “divisive agenda” at the behest of an artist’s “public image”. #apdhillon #shubh @apdhillxn #hiphop #rap pic.twitter.com/Kj2b1wejI7
— Culture Haze (@theculturehaze) September 22, 2023
“As an artist it has become almost impossible to stay focused on your craft and do what you love. I try to be mindful of everyone’s sentiments but it’s gotten to a point where we have to second and triple guess our every move due to the fear of unintentionally fueling even more division,” Dhillon said further.
The legendary rapper, who recently premiered two flagrant rap records “Lifestyle” & “Scars”, further appealed to people to neither “let hateful influences program our beliefs” nor “let man made social constructs divide us” amidst the unprecedented turmoil against an Indian artist in recent times.
Besides Dhillon, Sidhu Moose Wala‘s parents, who further administer Moosa’s Instagram profile, reminded people of the ‘politically motivated animosity directed towards the Sikh community’.
Not only did Moose Wala’s family expressed their shock with “numerous celebrities becoming ensnared in this divisive narrative”, they reminisced about the time when Moose Wala was “unjustly labeled a terrorist without any substantiated evidence.”
#SidhuMooseWala’s parents Balkaur Singh Sidhu & Charan Kaur expressed concerns over Shubh’s India Tour being cancelled.
— Culture Haze (@theculturehaze) September 22, 2023
“Sidhu was unjustly labeled a terrorist without any substantiated evidence. A similiar fate has befallen Shubh.” #shubh #JusticeForSidhuMoosewala pic.twitter.com/isA5N2EmEK
As per Moosa’s family, “a similar fate has befallen Shubh”.
“A single Instagram story, posted with benevolent intentions, has unexpectedly ignited a torrent of national animosity. It raises the question of why artists hailing from minority communities seem to consistently face such adversity, either through persecution or silencing,” Moose Wala’s parents said via Instagram.
“We lost Sidhu due to this prevailing hatred. When will this end? How can advocating for one’s own community be equated with terrorism? And, to those artists who refrain from standing with their peers in times of injustice, reflect on your actions. Grow a spine,” Balkaur Singh Sidhu & Charan Kaur, who continue to seek justice after Moose Wala’s infamous murder last year, said further.
“We hold deep affection for our nation, India, yet, unfortunately, the sentiment does not seem to be reciprocate,” the flagrant message reads.
Further, cult Punjabi singer Karan Aujla reminded the “Dior” rapper that “this is how the world works and he shouldn’t be worrisome.”
Karan Aujla speaks up amidst Shubh’s ‘Still Rolling India Tour’ row. #karanaujla #shubh pic.twitter.com/C3AIYhd4OE
— Culture Haze (@theculturehaze) September 22, 2023
The provocative support by Moose Wala’s parents, Aujla and Dhillon was preceded by Shubh expressing his own “dismay and sorrow” over the controversial cancellation of his India tour.
“I’m extremely disheartened by the cancellation of my tour in India. I was highly amped up and enthusiastic to perform in my country, in front of my people,” Shubh said in a statement.
“India is MY country too. I was born here. It is the land of my GURUS and my ANCESTORS, who didn’t even blink an eye to make sacrifices for the freedom of this land, for its glory, and for the family. And Punjab is my soul, Punjab is in my blood. Whatever I am today, I am because of being a Punjabi. Punjabis do not need to give proof of patriotism,” the “Still Rollin” rapper, irked by the recent developments said.
Shubh further asserted that his intent for sharing the Instagram story in March arose out of numerous reports confirming “electricity and internet shutdowns throughout the state.”
“There was no other thought behind it and I definitely didn’t intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments. The accusations against me have deeply affected me.”
Read Shubh’s personal statement here.
Shubh issues statement after cancelling “Still Rollin World Tour” in #India, expresses “dismay & sorrow”.
— Culture Haze (@theculturehaze) September 22, 2023
“I was highly amped up and enthusiastic to perform in my country, in front of my people.” #shubh #indiatour #punjab #sidhumoosewala pic.twitter.com/Gy1pynfaVA
As reported earlier, Shubh now gears up for the forthcoming dates of “Still Rollin World Tour”. Reportedly, the rapper will now head towards the U.K., United Arab Emirates or the UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S.
Stream Shubh’s debut album ‘Still Rollin’ via Spotify.
