Diljit Dosanjh Defends Satluj at Delhi Concert, Says ‘Don’t Teach Punjabis How to Fight’

Diljit Dosanjh used the opening night of his Aura India Tour 2026 in New Delhi to address the criticism surrounding his earlier comments on student protests and the controversy involving his film Satluj. During his performance at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 30, the singer-actor defended the effort behind the film and delivered a pointed message to those who had mocked it.

“I love all of you because I am an artist, bro. I am being quiet, so let me stay quiet. I support all of you. But don't teach Punjabis how to fight,” Diljit told the audience.

He then referred directly to the film, which centres on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra.

“The film you are making fun of on stage, Jaswant Singh Khalra's film - we fought for that film for a long time,” he said, while reiterating that he continued to wish everyone well despite the criticism.

Why Did Diljit Dosanjh Bring Up Satluj at His Delhi Concert?

The remarks came amid criticism of Diljit's earlier response to a question about student protests linked to the NEET paper leak. At the time, he had described himself as an artist, a response that attracted criticism from people who expected him to speak more directly about the issue.

Abhijeet Dipke, associated with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), was among those who criticised the singer. The criticism also drew attention to the contrast between Diljit's response to the protests and his involvement in Satluj, a film dealing with a sensitive chapter of Punjab's history.

At the Delhi concert, Diljit addressed both subjects without naming his critics directly. His remarks suggested that he wanted to distinguish his decision to remain quiet on a particular public issue from the work he and the team had put into telling Khalra's story.

What Is Satluj About?

Satluj, originally titled Panjab 95, is based on the life and work of Jaswant Singh Khalra, the Punjab-based human rights activist who investigated alleged illegal killings and secret cremations during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Khalra's work brought attention to allegations surrounding disappearances and human rights violations during a period of militancy and counter-insurgency operations in Punjab. His own disappearance and death later became an important part of the history associated with the case.

The film faced a prolonged delay before becoming available on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026. However, it was taken down from the platform within two days. The circumstances surrounding its removal have remained a significant part of the public discussion around the project.

For Diljit, the film represents a subject that the team had worked hard to bring to audiences. His comments in Delhi placed the focus back on that effort rather than on the argument surrounding his earlier public statement.

Abhijeet Dipke Apologises After Diljit's Remarks

The controversy also saw a notable development after the concert. Abhijeet Dipke shared an apology addressed to Diljit on Instagram.

Dipke explained that he had felt hurt by the singer's earlier response during the student protests. He also asked Diljit to forgive him, using the expression “chhota bhai samajh ke mitti pao” in his message.

The apology added another dimension to the episode. What began as criticism of Diljit's public stance had expanded into a dispute involving his film and its subject, before the two sides moved towards a more conciliatory exchange.

The Celebrity Hour Take

The episode highlights the difficult position artists can find themselves in when their public statements, personal choices and creative projects become part of wider social debates.

In Diljit's case, Satluj is not simply another film credit. Its subject carries considerable historical and human-rights significance, while its difficult release journey has kept attention on the project. His Delhi remarks brought these issues together, making the film's journey as important to the conversation as the singer's original comment.

For now, the most concrete developments are his public defence of the film and Dipke's subsequent apology. The larger debate about an artist's public responsibilities, however, is unlikely to be settled by one concert speech.

Sources & Verification

This report draws on published coverage of Diljit Dosanjh's October 30 Delhi concert, his remarks about Satluj, the background to the criticism over his earlier statement, and Abhijeet Dipke's subsequent apology. The film's release and removal timeline is based on published reporting and should be checked against platform records before any further claims are made about the reason for its removal.