During his concert at Rogers Centre in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, popular Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh had an unexpected guest: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Justin Trudeau went on stage to greet Diljit Dosanjh, much to the delight of the cheering audience.
However, the Prime Minister faced criticism on social media for referring to Dosanjh as “The guy from Punjab” in a post on X.
Diversity is 🇨🇦‘s strength. Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau came to check out history in the making: we sold out the Rogers Centre! pic.twitter.com/vyIKlvvplM
— DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) July 14, 2024
Impressed by Dosanjh’s performance, Trudeau shared pictures from the event on his social media account. He wrote,
“Stopped by the Rogers Centre to wish @diljitdosanjh good luck before his show. Canada is a great country — one where a guy from Punjab can make history and sell out stadiums. Diversity isn’t just our strength. It’s a superpower.”
Stopped by the Rogers Centre to wish @diljitdosanjh good luck before his show.
Canada is a great country — one where a guy from Punjab can make history and sell out stadiums. Diversity isn’t just our strength. It’s a super power. pic.twitter.com/EYhS0LEFFl
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 14, 2024
Many social media users were displeased with Trudeau’s choice of words, arguing that Dosanjh should have been referred to as Indian. One user wrote,
“CORRECTION: A guy from India.” Another added, “Dosanjh is an Indian. Why are you afraid to say it?”
Another user criticized Trudeau for allegedly making Canada “a terrorist hideout.” They commented, ”
The world knows who you are, you have made Canada a terrorist hideout which was once the world’s most beautiful, peaceful, and secure country. What a fall.”
The world knows who you are, you have made Canada a terrorist hideout which was once worlds most beautiful peaceful and secured country, what a fall pic.twitter.com/f2pb4OGCdV
— Nitin Shukla 🇮🇳 (@nshuklain) July 15, 2024
Khalistan movement in Canada is supported by Justin Trudeau, Diljit also must clear stand here.
— Jitendra Singh Rathore (@Jitendra2it) July 15, 2024
We have more Punjabi and Sikh Members of Parliament than India does, despite India having 37 million more Punjabis than Canada does – that seems odd to me.
— Zoltan (@AmazingZoltan) July 14, 2024
LOL
Diversity is our downfall.— Tybernicus (@Tybernicus17) July 14, 2024
Trudeau’s appearance at Dosanjh’s concert comes amid strained relations between India and Canada following the killing of Khalistani sympathizer Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada has accused New Delhi of being behind Nijjar’s death, a claim India has denied.
India has consistently expressed concerns about pro-Khalistan elements operating in Canada, advocating extremism and violence. In June, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra reiterated India’s position, urging Canada to take decisive action against these groups.