In the wake of the controversy surrounding Shubh’s cancelled India tour due to his alleged support for the Khalistan cause, Punjabi-Canadian artist AP Dhillon has taken to Instagram to advocate for spreading love instead of hate. This comes after Shubh (Shubhneet Singh) faced a barrage of criticism and backlash, including the cancellation of his tour, which coincided with ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada.
AP Dhillon’s message, shared on Instagram Stories, reflects his concerns about the divisive nature of social media and how it affects artists. lost cause… someone, somewhere is going to spin the narrative to their liking and create more division.” Dhillon highlighted the challenges artists face in navigating a landscape where every word and action can be scrutinized and misinterpreted.
Living in Canada since 2015 and recently visiting India, AP Dhillon pointed out that artists like him often find their public image manipulated for political agendas. Ek helps people on an individual level, regardless of their color, race, religion, nationality, gender, etc.”
His message concluded with a call to “spread love not hate” and encouraged people to think for themselves rather than succumb to divisive influences. Dhillon emphasized the importance of unity, stating,
Meanwhile, the Instagram page of late Sidhu Moose Wala, another prominent Punjabi artist, shared a statement in support of Shubh. The statement expressed concern about the consistent adversity faced by artists from minority communities and questioned why they often encounter persecution or silencing. It noted that music transcends caste and religion and lamented the loss of Sidhu Moose Wala due to hatred.
On Wednesday, BookMyShow announced the cancellation of Shubh’s Still Rollin India Tour, sparking a wave of discussions on social media. The ticket-booking platform cited the backlash against Shubh, who had previously posted a controversial map of India on Instagram Stories, along with a message reading, “Pray for Punjab.” Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and others reportedly unfollowed Shubh on Instagram in response to the controversy.
Shubh expressed his disappointment at the tour’s cancellation in an Instagram statement, revealing his two months of preparation and eagerness to perform in India. The incident has brought to light the complex intersection of art, politics, and social media in today’s world, prompting artists like AP Dhillon to advocate for love and unity amidst the tumult.