Chandigarh, October 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of discriminating against Punjabis, citing the alleged insult of renowned singer Daler Mehndi at an event in Uttarakhand, the reported denial of permission for Diljit Dosanjh’s Delhi show and the treatment of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann at Delhi airport.
Addressing the media, Dhaliwal alleged that the BJP, despite leading the government at the Centre, had repeatedly demonstrated a discriminatory attitude towards Sikhs, Punjabis and minority communities. He said the incidents involving prominent Punjabi personalities reflected what he described as the party’s narrow and divisive approach.
Referring to the incident involving Daler Mehndi at a programme in Uttarakhand, Dhaliwal condemned the alleged conduct of a BJP minister towards the celebrated singer. He said Mehndi had earned widespread recognition and affection across the world, adding that disrespecting an artist of his stature amounted to an insult to Punjab’s people and culture.
Dhaliwal also questioned the reported restrictions on Diljit Dosanjh’s scheduled Delhi show, which was initially planned for November 1. He said the singer had obtained permission for the event but was subsequently asked to change the date because of historical events associated with November 1 in Delhi. However, according to Dhaliwal, the necessary clearance was also denied for the proposed alternative date of October 30.
He said Dosanjh had brought international recognition to Punjab through his music and performances, drawing large audiences across the world. Preventing the singer from performing in Delhi raised questions about how Punjabi artists were being treated, he added.
“Punjabis have a strong presence in Delhi, where they have made significant contributions to business, culture and society. Punjabi is widely spoken in Delhi, and our people have brought pride to the national capital. Denying a Punjabi artist permission to perform, despite his immense popularity, is deeply disappointing,” Dhaliwal said.
The AAP MLA questioned whether Dosanjh was being treated unfairly because of his Sikh identity and Punjabi background. He said the singer had performed before audiences internationally without facing similar restrictions, making the developments in Delhi particularly troubling.
Dhaliwal also criticised the treatment of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann at Delhi airport following his return from France. He alleged that Mann had been deliberately humiliated under the pretext of excess baggage.
Questioning the justification for the action, Dhaliwal argued that baggage weight is generally checked at the point of departure and that any excess baggage should have been addressed in France. He said the incident raised concerns about the Centre’s attitude towards a Chief Minister who regularly raises Punjab’s issues.
“Bhagwant Mann is among the few Chief Ministers who openly raise the state’s issues before the Central government. While many others hesitate to confront the Centre, Mann Sahib and the AAP stand firm in defending Punjab’s rights. The way he was treated at Delhi airport is highly condemnable,” Dhaliwal said.
Highlighting Punjab’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle, Dhaliwal said Punjabis had made enormous sacrifices to free the country from British rule and had played a defining role in the struggle for independence. He said the community deserved respect rather than discrimination or humiliation.
Dhaliwal appealed to Punjabis across India and around the world to take note of what he described as the BJP’s continued disregard for the state and its people. He warned that persisting with such politics could have serious consequences and urged the BJP leadership to change its approach towards Punjabis and Sikhs.
“The BJP must change this discriminatory policy. Punjabis have sacrificed immensely for this country and have always contributed to its progress. They will not accept repeated insults to their identity, their artists or their elected leadership,” Dhaliwal said.
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