Chandigarh/ Punjab (April 16, 2014): Under fire from their fans, popular Punjabi singers Gippy Grewal, Diljit Dosanjh, Harbhajan Mann and Jazzy B have either given an explanation or apologised on their Facebook accounts for appearing in video-tapes to campaign for the ruling SAD [Badal]. The Tribune had brought the matter to the fore yesterday.
Gippy Grewal’s contrite message to his fans was: “Sariyan ton hath jod ke mafi mangda jinna da dil tutiya commercial advertisment de naal. Main kissae vi party de naal attached nahi aa. Mainu ajj iss mukam te kissae party ne nahi, tusi sariyan ne pounchiya. Main agge ton iss gal da dhyan jaroor rakhugan ke tuhada vishvas bania rakha. Umeed aa tusi mainu chhota veer samaj ke maaf kar deo ge. Tusi vote poun jarror jao, but jitthae tuhada dil karda. (Hands folded, I seek an apology from all those that I have hurt. I am a celebrity not because of any political party, but because of my fans. I am not attached with any party. In future, I will make sure that I don’t betray your trust in me. Please vote for any party that you may support.”
Gippy’s fans responded with magnanimity. In their comments, most sympathised with him for being dragged into the controversy.
The actor-singers have not only been flooded with hate mails from Punjab, Canada, Australia and Norway, but have also been criticised by the Punjabi music industry.
Diljit too has updated his Facebook page with a long explanation: “Ajj ton kuch 6-7 mahine pehlan mainu police de ADGP ji da fone aaya c te ohna ne dasseya c k Punjab Police lokaan di sahuliyat layi saanjh kendar khol rahi hai ate ossdi ad o mere ton karvauna chauhnde ne. Main iss nu ik changa kamm samjhde hoye bina koi paisa leyaan free ch eh ad kiti c. Oss vele mainu eh v andaaza nai c k eh ad elections vele v telecast kiti jayegi. Par hun mahaul edaan da ban gaya hai k mere saare fans nu, mere saroteyaan nu te mere saare punjabi bhaen bhraavaan nu eh lag reha hai k main ad vich ona nu kisey 1 party nu VOTE paun lai kiha hai …”
(Almost six months back, when approached by the ADGP, Punjab, I appeared in an advertisement on the Saanjh Kendars. I did the assignment free of cost. I had no idea that it would be telecast during the time of the elections. I haven’t asked anyone to vote for a particular party in the advertisement.) Punjabi singer Harbhajan Mann has posted a hand-written letter, explaining the reasons for appearing in the advertisement in which he talks about Badal Government’s good governance. The explanation has invited strong reactions from his fans. Most have commented that the damage has already been done.
Note: Above write-up was originally published on the website of The Tribune (TT), under title: “Punjabi singers change their tune” at source url: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140416/punjab.htm#5. It’s reproduced here for the information of the visitors/ readers of the Sikh Siyasat News (SSN).