Politics of intimidation after Diljit Dosanjh refused to enter politics: Bhagwant Mann

CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday accused BJP of resorting to "intimidation tactics" against actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh after he declined to enter politics.

Replying to a question, Mann said, "After actor Vijay's success in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, BJP realised that artists enjoy greater public acceptance and therefore attempted to bring Diljit Dosanjh into politics. Since Diljit declined BJP's offer, politics of intimidation has begun against him, which is unfair. Attacking his manager's house reflects this politics of threat."



On May 9, Diljit took to X to reject rumours of a political career. Responding to a media house's tweet asking if Diljit could be the ‘new political face of Punjab', he wrote: "Kadey v Nhi... Mera Kam Entertainment Karna. Am Very Happy in My Field. Thank You So Much (Never... My job is to entertain. I'm very happy in my field)."

Meanwhile, Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema claimed that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was being used to intimidate celebrities. "Just two days after this refusal, an attack took place at his manager's house, and Lawrence Bishnoi claimed responsibility for it. This is not a mere coincidence," Cheema alleged.

He also questioned how Bishnoi could allegedly orchestrate criminal activities while lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail in Gujarat. "It is extremely shameful that a gangster is operating from inside a high-security prison. Is this possible without govt patronage?" Cheema asked.

Several Punjab ministers, including Balbir Singh and Baljit Kaur, also condemned the firing incident through social media posts, accusing the BJP of targeting Punjabi artists who refused to align politically with the party.