After India cancelled 'Still Rollin India Tour' of Canada-based Punjabi artist Shubhneet Singh, also known as Shubh, famous Canadian-Indian singer AP Dhillon has broken his silence over the controversy.
He said that amid several backlash and row, it has become impossible for the artists to stay focussed on the craft and pursue what they love.
"I try to be mindful of everyone's sentiments, but it has gotten to a point where we have to second and triple guess our every move due to fear of unintentionally fuelling even more division,” Dhillion said in the statement.
Dhillion alleged that several political groups are using the public image of artists like him as a pawn to propagate their agenda and for their own benefit.
"We are just trying to make art that helps people on an individual level, regardless of their color, race, religion, nationality, gender, etc,” he added.
The singer urged people to spread love not hate and don't get influenced by negative influences.
"We are ALL one. Let’s not let man-made social constructs divide us. Division has gotten us to this point, but unity is the key to the future (sic),” Dhillon said.
Dhillon said that he has made a conscious decision "to stay out of all the social mania" and said, "Regardless of what I say or do, it is a lost cause... someone, somewhere is going to spin the narrative to their liking and create more division."
Screenshot of the Instagram post of Canadian-Indian singer AP Dhillon
© Photo : Twitter
What happened with Shubh?
On September 20, ticket booking platform Book My Show posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the singer Shub's India tour had been cancelled, and they have initiated a complete refund of the ticket amount for all consumers who had purchased its tickets.
A day before, electronics brand 'Boat' abruptly withdrew its sponsorship from Shubh's India tour.