Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh has found himself at the center of a social media storm as memes and jokes flood platforms following the announcement of his upcoming Bengaluru concert. The show, scheduled for December 6, is part of his Dil-Luminati tour, which will take him to 10 major cities across India. However, the announcement comes at a time when the ongoing language debate in Karnataka has intensified, leading to humorous takes on whether Diljit should learn Kannada for his performance.
In recent months, Karnataka has seen a renewed push for the increased use of Kannada in various sectors, including government, education, and business. This movement has sparked controversy, with several viral videos surfacing online, showing people being harassed for not speaking Kannada in Bengaluru. The tension has particularly affected non-Kannada speakers, with some calling for those who do not speak the language to leave the state.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨 Diljit Dosanjh cancels his concert in Bengaluru.
He said he was not told beforehand that he had to sing in Kannada, he mistook it for Canada 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/Em31F5HCRj
— kittu don 🔫 (@Shobhitontwt) September 12, 2024
Against this backdrop, jokes and memes have begun circulating online, playfully suggesting that the proud Punjabi artist should familiarize himself with Kannada before performing in the state’s capital.
Diljit’s Bengaluru concert has ignited a wave of light-hearted social media content. One user on X (formerly Twitter) quipped, “Diljit Dosanjh cancels his concert in Bengaluru. He said he wasn’t made aware before that he had to sing in Kannada, he mistook it as Kanedda,” humorously referencing the singer’s popularity in Canada.
Real 😭 pic.twitter.com/0l4vLWVYT0
— isHaHaHa (@hajarkagalwa) September 12, 2024
Diljit Dosanjh after realising that he have to sing in Kannada to perform in Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/tURI4XfHRm
— Abhay (@KaunHaiAbhay) September 12, 2024
🚨 Breaking 🚨 Diljit Dosanjh cancels his concert in Bengaluru. He said he wasn’t made aware before that he had to sing in Kannada, he mistook it as Kanedda 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/Owo2Euw6z4
— palk (@plk_0016) September 12, 2024
While the comments have been mostly in jest, they highlight the broader language row currently brewing in Karnataka, where language has become a sensitive topic in both local and national conversations.
Diljit Dosanjh, born on January 6, 1984, is an acclaimed Indian singer and actor known for his work in both the Punjabi and Hindi film industries. He made his acting debut with the Punjabi film The Lion of Punjab in 2011 and has since delivered major hits in both music and cinema. His chart-topping songs like Proper Patola, GOAT, and Hass Hass have earned him international fame.
As part of his Dil-Luminati tour, Diljit will perform in major European cities like Paris, London, and Amsterdam before arriving in India. The India leg of the tour will kick off in Delhi on October 26, followed by shows in cities like Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and finally Bengaluru.
While Diljit’s upcoming concert has excited fans, it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing cultural debate in Karnataka regarding language and identity. Though the jokes and memes are light-hearted, they underscore the growing importance of language in the region’s socio-political landscape.
Despite the online humor, Diljit Dosanjh remains focused on his much-anticipated performance, which promises to bring together fans from all walks of life. Whether or not he decides to add a few Kannada phrases to his performance remains to be seen, but the memes have certainly added an interesting dimension to his Bengaluru show.
