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Former India cricket team captain Virat Kohli has unfollowed Shubh from social media following the Canada-based singer’s India map controversy. The controversy surrounding Canada-based Punjabi singer Shubh, also known as Shubhdeep Singh Siddhu, has taken centre stage. Shubh is facing intense criticism and backlash for sharing a distorted map of India on his social media platforms. This action has ignited allegations of him supporting Khalistan separatists who advocate for an independent Sikh state, and it has resulted in the tearing of posters promoting his upcoming event in Mumbai.
Mumbai, celebrated for its inclusivity and diversity, has become a battleground for conflicting ideologies. Shubh’s actions, specifically his support for Khalistan and the display of a distorted Indian map, have sparked a fierce clash of opinions among various factions. The Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) firmly believe that there’s no place for those who threaten India’s unity and integrity.
Virat Kohli Unfollows Shubh on Social Media
Shubh’s relationship with renowned Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has also come under the spotlight amid this controversy. The two have shared a close bond, both personally and professionally. Virat Kohli has unfollowed the singer on Instagram amidst the Indian map controversy. This association has drawn additional attention to Shubh’s actions and sparked discussions about the responsibilities of public figures in promoting unity and avoiding controversies.
Other Indian Cricketers Unfollow Shubh
Indian cricketers Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya have now unfollowed Shubh on Instagram. Virat Kohli had previously called Shubh his favorite artist, but now he has unfollowed him. Along with him, other cricketers like KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Suresh Raina have also done the same.
Allegations of Khalistan Support
Shubh, a popular Punjabi singer based in Canada, is known for his soulful melodies and charismatic stage presence. However, his recent activities have landed him in hot water. He shared an Indian map depicting the Punjab region differently, leading to allegations that he supports the Khalistan movement.
The Khalistan movement advocates establishing a separate Sikh state called ‘Khalistan’ in the Indian Punjab region. It remains a contentious issue marked by past violent conflicts and political disputes in the past. Besides the Indian government, many citizens consider Khalistani support a threat to India’s unity and sovereignty.
BJYM Takes to the Streets
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) youth wing, BJYM, swiftly responded to Shubh’s actions. Its members took to the streets of Mumbai and tore down posters promoting his upcoming music event. These demonstrations have raised concerns in certain sections of the Indian population that some individuals or groups may support divisive and separatist ideologies.
Amit Varma, the spokesperson for BJYM, expressed their position, stating, “There is no place for Khalistan sympathizers, who are enemies of Indian unity and integrity. We cannot tolerate anyone who supports extremist ideologies, especially those that jeopardize the cohesion and unity of the populace.”
Shubh’s Clarification
Despite Shubh’s clarification that he does not support the Khalistan movement and that the shared map represented historical Punjab, he has faced ongoing controversy, with many questioning the intentions behind sharing the map.
“I am a proud Indian and Punjabi, and I have always celebrated our rich culture and heritage through my music. My post was not intended to support any separatist agenda. I apologize if it was misunderstood, and I reiterate my commitment to India’s unity and diversity,” Shubh stated.
Boat withdraws Tour Sponsorship
Consumer electronic brand boAt has withdrawn its sponsorship from the upcoming Mumbai gig of the Canada-based singer. Shubh is scheduled to perform in Mumbai from September 23-25 at Cordelia Cruises.
At boAt, while our commitment to the incredible music community runs deep, we are first & foremost a true Indian brand. Therefore, when we became aware of the remarks made by artist Shubh earlier this year, we chose to withdraw our sponsorship from the tour,” the company tweeted its a statement.
Why BookMyShow faces backlash?
BookMyShow was sponsoring the India tour of Punjabi-Canadian singer Shubhneet Singh. However, the ticket booking app faced a boycott call on social media for hosting a singer who is alleged to support a certain cause. In response, BookMyShow canceled the show. On the same day, the hashtag ‘Uninstall BookMyShow’ was trending on Twitter as the ticketing platform continued to sell tickets for the concert. In a post on Twitter, BookMyShow announced that it would provide a full refund for the tickets within 7-10 days.
“Singer Shubhneet Singh’s ‘Still Rollin Tour for India’ has been canceled. To address this, BookMyShow has initiated a complete refund of the ticket amount for all consumers who had purchased tickets for the show. The refund will be reflected within 7-10 working days in the customer’s original payment method,” it stated.
