Punjabi popstar Diljit Dosanjh has addressed a series of racist comments aimed at him during the Australia–New Zealand leg of his Aura 2025 world tour.
After landing in Australia on Oct. 28, Dosanjh shared a behind-the-scenes video revealing that local photo agencies had captured his arrival, which prompted a wave of derogatory remarks online—among them, “The new Uber driver is here” and “The new 7/11 employee has arrived.”
However, Dosanjh vouched for peace and unity, stating, “I don’t mind being compared to a cab or truck driver. If truck drivers cease to exist, you won’t get bread for your home. I’m not angry, and my love goes out to everyone.”
Dosanjh also addressed the incident on stage during his sold-out Melbourne concert on Nov. 1, telling fans in Punjabi: “Saade bandeya ne ethe mehnat kiti aa… ajj saare gore kumm te laaye hoye aa!”—loosely translated as “Our people have worked so hard that today the workers here are White people.”
Australia’s Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill, condemned the racist abuse and issued a public apology through Australia Today, saying: “Nobody should be discriminated against for who they are, and I am sorry Diljit has copped such rubbish from a tiny minority of idiots. The positive and educative spirit in which Diljit has responded… is to be admired and respected.”
The tour has also seen other controversies. On Oct. 26, several Sikh attendees were denied entry to Dosanjh’s Sydney concert at CommBank Stadium (Parramatta) for carrying kirpans, a ceremonial dagger worn as an article of faith in Sikhism.
Venue operator Venues NSW stated that kirpans are prohibited inside its venues, offering a “secure cloaking service,” while some attendees said they chose to leave rather than remove the religious article.
Adding to the tension, the U.S.-based group Sikhs for Justice threatened to disrupt Dosanjh’s Melbourne show on November 1, observed globally as Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day, criticizing the artist for allegedly previously greeting actor Amitabh Bachchan.
Despite the setbacks, Dosanjh’s Aura tour has continued across major cities including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, drawing sold-out crowds and reaffirming his stature as one of India’s most successful global performers.
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