US-based Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, head of the designated terrorist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has issued a brazen call to shut down Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh's high-profile concert in Melbourne, Australia, scheduled for November 1. The threat, outlined in an official SFJ statement, accuses Dosanjh of "insulting every victim, every widow, and every orphan of the 1984 Sikh Genocide" by publicly touching the feet of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan during a recent promotional event for their upcoming film Raid 2.

Pannun, who faces U.S. charges for threatening violence against Indian diplomats and aviation targets, framed the gesture as a betrayal of Sikh history. "Diljit's act of submission to a symbol of the 1984 carnage is unforgivable," the statement read, referencing Bachchan's alleged role in anti-Sikh riots following Indira Gandhi's assassination. SFJ has mobilized its global network, urging supporters to protest and disrupt the event at Marvel Stadium, where Dosanjh's Dil-Luminati tour is expected to draw over 40,000 fans.

The controversy erupted just weeks after Dosanjh's triumphant Western Sydney show on October 26, which nearly sold out Parramatta's 25,000-seat stadium and featured high-energy performances of hits like G.O.A.T. and Born to Shine. That concert, part of his sold-out Australian leg, already sparked headlines when several Sikh attendees were denied entry over venue bans on the kirpan—a sacred dagger—reigniting debates on religious accommodations at public events. Dosanjh, who has headlined Coachella and collaborated with global stars like Ed Sheeran, has long navigated tensions between his mainstream appeal and fringe separatist accusations.

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Dosanjh's past has fueled such backlash. In 2020, amid farmer protests, Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu demanded FIRs against him for allegedly supporting SFJ's Khalistan agenda through a song clip from Punjab 1984. Dosanjh vehemently denied it, tweeting, "I have always stood by India and Punjab," and highlighting the film's censor board approval. Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has also targeted him, warning in 2023 that "pro-Khalistani" artists like Dosanjh would face consequences. Despite this, Dosanjh's global rise—bolstered by roles in Udta Punjab and Jogi—has positioned him as a cultural ambassador for Punjab, blending bhangra beats with Bollywood glamour.

Australian authorities have yet to respond officially, but event organizers from Live Nation Australia emphasized enhanced security measures, stating, "Safety is our top priority; we monitor all threats closely." Sikh community leaders in Melbourne, home to one of the world's largest diaspora populations, expressed mixed views. "Diljit's music unites us—Pannun divides," said Harpreet Singh, president of the Sikh Council of Victoria. Meanwhile, Bachchan, 82, whose feet-touching moment went viral, has remained silent, focusing on Raid 2's November release.

As the November 1 showdown looms, Dosanjh's team is undeterred. A source close to the singer told NDTV, "Diljit stands for love and unity—hate won't silence his voice." With tickets priced up to AUD 800 and resale markets buzzing, the concert could still proceed amid protests, echoing Dosanjh's defiant Coachella set in 2023 where he waved the Indian tricolor. For a star who's turned Punjabi pride into worldwide anthems, this Khalistani storm tests whether his spotlight can outshine the shadows of 1984.

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