My film was shot before Pahalgam, but now matches are being played: Diljit Dosanjh breaks silence
Kuala Lumpur: Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has spoken publicly for the first time on the controversy surrounding his film Sardaarji 3, his association with Pakistani actor Hania Aamir, and the recent India–Pakistan cricket clash. Addressing his fans during a concert in Malaysia, Dosanjh also expressed grief over the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.
Several videos from the concert have surfaced online, showing Dosanjh saluting the Indian national flag on stage. “Woh mere desh da jhanda hai. Always respect,” he told the crowd. Seeking permission to share his views, he explained in Punjabi that Sardaarji 3 was filmed in February, prior to the Pahalgam attack, while the cricket match between India and Pakistan was played later in September.
“The tragic Pahalgam terror attack happened afterwards. At that time, and even now, we have always prayed that the terrorists should receive strict punishment. The difference is that my film was shot before the attack, and the match was played after it,” he said.
India and Pakistan met on September 14 in the Asia Cup, their first encounter since the attack. India secured a seven-wicket victory in the Group A clash but refused to exchange pleasantries with the Pakistan side, a decision seen as reflecting the strained ties between the two nations.
Dosanjh criticised sections of the media for portraying him as “anti-national” over his film casting. “The national media tried their best to portray me that way, but Punjabis and the Sikh community could never go against the nation,” he said.
The actor-singer further noted that he had “many answers” to the accusations but chose silence. “I didn’t speak. I have many answers. But whoever tells you anything, you shouldn’t take that poison inside you. I learned that from life,” he told the audience.
Earlier this year, Dosanjh faced backlash for working with Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in Sardaarji 3, released overseas on June 27. Directed by Amar Hundal, the film also featured Neeru Bajwa, Gulshan Grover, and Sapna Pabbi.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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