Diljit Dosanjh on farmers' protest backlash: 'Anti-national tag not new to me'
Synopsis
Diljit Dosanjh has revealed that the 'anti-national' label is not new to him — and that the legal troubles he faced after backing the 2020 farmers' protest are still too sensitive to name publicly. His latest post supporting student protesters suggests he is willing to absorb that cost again.
Key Takeaways
Diljit Dosanjh posted on social media extending support to protesting students and urging authorities to hear their demands.
He revealed he has been labelled 'anti-national' multiple times and faced backlash and legal problems after supporting the 2020 farmers' protest .
Diljit said the legal troubles are too sensitive to discuss publicly.
His farmers' protest support had previously led to a public spat with actor Kangana Ranaut ; Diljit maintained his stance was apolitical.
The three farm laws he implicitly opposed were repealed by the Central government in November 2021 .
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has spoken candidly about the backlash he endured for supporting the farmers' protest, revealing that being labelled 'anti-national' is far from a new experience for him — and that the legal troubles he faced after the agitation are still too sensitive to discuss publicly.
What Diljit Said
Taking to his social media account, Diljit posted a note in Punjabi extending solidarity with protesting students and urging authorities to engage with their demands. In the post, he wrote: 'Aj Jo hoyea Baut Maada Hoyea.. Students Naal Edan Treat Nhi Hona Chaida c.. Mai Authorities Nu Request Karda Ke Students Dian Demands Nu sunn Leya Javey.. Lokan Di Avaaz Rab Di Avaaz Hundi Aa..'
Translated, the message reads: 'What happened today was very unfortunate. Students should not have been treated this way. I request the authorities to listen to the students' demands. The voice of the people is the voice of God.'
In a follow-up, he added: 'Mere Te Already Anti Nationalist Da Tag Baut Vaar Lagg Chuka.. Hun V Mainu Anti-nationalist Keha Jaega. After Kisan Protest.. I faced a Lot of Backlash & Legal Problems which I can't Even Discuss.. BAKI RAB SAB DEKH REHA, BABA BHALI KARU.' — meaning, 'I have already been labelled an anti-national many times. Even now, I will probably be called anti-national. After the farmers' protest, I faced a lot of backlash and legal problems that I cannot even discuss. The rest is in God's hands. May Baba bless everyone.'
The Farmers' Protest Context
Diljit's reference to the farmers' protest points to the nationwide agitation against three farm laws introduced by the Central government in 2020. The movement drew widespread participation from farming communities, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, and became one of the most prolonged mass protests in recent Indian history before the laws were eventually repealed in November 2021.
During the agitation, Diljit was drawn into a high-profile and heated social media exchange with actor Kangana Ranaut over the protests. He had maintained at the time that his support was for the farmers and carried no political agenda.
A Pattern of Speaking Out
Diljit's latest post comes amid ongoing student protests, with the actor once again calling for dialogue over confrontation. Notably, this is not the first time he has used his platform to amplify voices he believes are being ignored — and he appears to be bracing for a familiar wave of criticism in response.
His acknowledgement that public stands on controversial issues invite backlash reflects a broader tension in Indian public life, where celebrities who wade into political or social disputes often face organised pushback, legal notices, or campaigns questioning their patriotism.
What Comes Next
Diljit did not elaborate on the nature of the legal problems he alluded to, saying only that he 'cannot even discuss' them. Whether the renewed controversy over his student-protest post triggers fresh legal or political pressure remains to be seen. His remarks, however, have already reignited debate about the boundaries of celebrity advocacy in India.
Point of View
Applied broadly enough that its repeated use against a globally touring artist draws little scrutiny. What mainstream coverage tends to miss is that Diljit's pattern of speaking out — farmers, now students — is consistent, not opportunistic, which makes the backlash calculus he openly acknowledges worth taking seriously.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Diljit Dosanjh face backlash after the farmers' protest?
Diljit Dosanjh faced backlash for publicly supporting the nationwide farmers' agitation against three farm laws introduced by the Central government in 2020. Critics labelled him 'anti-national', and he has said he also encountered legal problems as a result, though he has declined to detail them.
What did Diljit Dosanjh post about the student protests?
Diljit posted a note in Punjabi on his social media account expressing solidarity with protesting students and requesting authorities to listen to their demands. He translated the post's sentiment as: 'The voice of the people is the voice of God.'
What was the Diljit Dosanjh and Kangana Ranaut controversy about?
During the 2020 farmers' protest, Diljit Dosanjh and Kangana Ranaut engaged in a heated public exchange on social media over the agitation. Diljit maintained that his support was for the farmers and not tied to any political agenda.
Were the farm laws that triggered the protests eventually repealed?
Yes. The three farm laws at the centre of the agitation were repealed by the Central government in November 2021, following sustained protests primarily from farming communities in Punjab and Haryana.
Has Diljit Dosanjh revealed what legal problems he faced?
No. In his social media post, Diljit acknowledged facing 'backlash and legal problems' after the farmers' protest but said he 'cannot even discuss' them, without providing further detail.
