Latest news with #Punjabi-speaking
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kabir Khan addresses controversy on 'Sardaar Ji 3'; says decision to cast Pakistani actress Hania Aamir was taken 'ages ago'
1 2 Filmmaker Kabir Khan has responded to the controversy on 'Sardaar Ji 3', starring Diljit Dosanjh and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. The film came under heavy criticism from some sections of the public and political groups after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025. Several questioned the decision to cast a Pakistani actor in an Indian film during such tense times. In an interview with NDTV, Kabir Khan defended the casting decision, explaining that it was made well before the tragic Pahalgam attack took place. Kabir stated, "It was a decision that was taken ages ago. By the time things changed, the film had already been shot. So it's probably unfair to target. My views on things like censorship and banning are very different. One should be a little more liberated." The filmmaker further added, "With anything to do with art. I don't think anybody is doing or making any film just to hurt people's sentiments or create hate and controversy. It's unfortunate." Kabir also expressed disappointment that 'Sardaar Ji 3' couldn't be released in India, calling it an 'unfortunate result' of political tensions. He said that sometimes the films get in the middle of such situations and miss the chance to reach their audience. Speaking about Diljit, the director praised him for his talent and success, especially in both music and cinema. He mentioned that the film is doing well in Pakistan and highlighted that, 'Diljit is one of the most respected actors and stars of this country and has always done very good work." Amidst the ongoing tensions, 'Sardaar Ji 3' has performed well in international markets, especially among Punjabi-speaking audiences overseas. The film was released on June 27 and went on to become the highest-grossing Punjabi movie of 2025 so far. A few days later, FWICE confirmed they had lifted the ban on Diljit, allowing him to resume work on 'Border 2'. According to reports, the film's producer, Bhushan Kumar, personally requested the federation to let Diljit continue with the patriotic project. Salman Khan, Kabir Khan not on talking terms
The Wire
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
The Rise of Sikh Orthodoxy and its Corrosive Influence on General Freedom of Thought in Punjab
Rajiv Thind The theocratic and political construction of Sikh history along with the rigid definition of Punjab's identity in narrowly Sikh and Punjabi-speaking terms, excludes and silences the region's most vulnerable communities. The Bathinda police briefing the media about the details of the murder of social media influencer Kamal Kaur alias Kanchan Tiwari. Photo: Videograb from In the Indian state of Punjab, a group of self-proclaimed defenders of the Sikh faith murdered social media content creator Kanchan Kumari (also known as Kamal Kaur) for posting videos they deemed vulgar and immoral. Kumari was reportedly strangled and left in a locked car. One of the accused, Amritpal Singh Mehron, released a video in which he proudly took responsibility for the killing, describing it as an act of 'moral purification' of Punjab. In the same video, he issued threats against others, including Deepika Luthra, who has since come forward expressing fear for her life. Prior to her death, Kumari had also received threats from a Canada-based Sikh gangster. In the aftermath, a Sikh woman lawyer publicly condemned Kumari, invoking the phrase Jaisi karni, vaisi bharni ('you get what you deserve'). In her videos, Kumari often spoke about sex and sexual acts. Mehron has since fled overseas and has been lionised on several Punjabi social media platforms. A YouTube channel conducted a sympathetic interview with him. Comments under the video are overwhelmingly supportive, with many praising the act and some offering prayers for the protection of Mehron and his accomplices. Many of the young women posting risqué content online come from marginalised socio-economic backgrounds and rely on this work for survival, with few alternative sources of income to support themselves and their families. While some of their content may veer into explicit territory – a grey area that social media platforms readily exploit – the regulation of such material is the responsibility of the state, not of vigilantes and criminals claiming to uphold religious or moral values. Mehron's hateful video, and the widespread support it has received, reveal a chilling rationalisation of murder. He and his supporters portray Kumari as an outsider – a non-Punjabi and a non-Sikh – accused of corrupting the cultural and religious purity of Punjab. Before assessing this bigoted rhetoric, it's important to place this tragedy within the broader context – examining how Sikh identity, extremism, and cultural policing are represented, and what is omitted from dominant narratives. The Western gaze and selective narratives In Western media and academic discourse, religious extremism in India is almost exclusively viewed through the lens of Hindutva – the majoritarian Hindu nationalist movement. Within this framework, all religious minorities – Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs – are cast primarily as victims of Hindu dominance. This narrative is further reinforced by segments of the Sikh diaspora in countries such as Canada, the UK and the US. Respected Sikh professionals and activists publish articles in major outlets like Time Magazine, with headlines such as ' Why India Is Targeting Sikhs at Home and Around the World, ' appealing to Western liberal ideals of minority rights and protection of the persecuted. Yet these voices remain conspicuously silent about violence perpetrated by Sikh extremists – both historical and ongoing – against dissenters and excluded communities. From the assassination of liberal Sikh journalist Tara Singh Hayer in 1998 in Canada (for opposing Khalistani terrorism), to murderous violence against Dalit Sikhs in Vienna in 2009 for challenging dominant-caste Sikh orthodoxy, a pattern emerges: internal critique of essentialist Sikh identity is ignored or suppressed brutally. Personal experience As I have written elsewhere, I grew up in Punjab during the turbulent 1980s and 90s. As per reports, at the height of militancy, state agents committed atrocities, but continued Sikh militant violence has also been devastating. I noticed and experienced the corrosive influence of Sikh orthodoxy on general freedom of thought and expression in Punjab. My issue is not with Sikhism itself – indeed, half my family comes from a Sikh background, and some of my dearest friends have been Sikhs. I hold deep respect for Guru Nanak's humane philosophy and historical Sikhism's inclusive ethos and egalitarianism. Instead, my concern lies with the rise of self-important Sikh orthodoxy (as analysed by Harjot Oberoi) and politicised Sikhism of the dominant-caste groups that glorify violence to project their power. Historical amnesia The dream of a Khalistani state is a dominant-caste fantasy of restoring a 'pure' Sikh kingdom. Yet, as the late Khushwant Singh – an atheist but culturally Sikh scholar and writer – reminds us, the Sikh aristocracy of the past was far from devout. The chiefs of Sikh misls (or militias) were more feudal than spiritual; they could be corrupt, their personal habits indulgent; one group, 'the Bhangis' were named after their 'founder's addiction to bhang (hashish)…' he writes in his monumental The Sikhs. Singh writes: 'As soon as the Sikhs settled down as landowners, property rights became hereditary and the disparity in wealth introduced an extraneous element in the choice of leadership.' When the Sikh confederacies eventually unified under Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century, his army and cabinet included large numbers of Muslims and Hindus. Punjab was – and remains – ethnically and religiously diverse. Ironically, modern Sikh attempts to purify Punjab on linguistic and religious lines have reduced it to a small state, with other regions going to the newly organised states like Haryana. The theocratic and political construction of Sikh history along with the rigid definition of Punjab's identity in narrowly Sikh and Punjabi-speaking terms, excludes and silences the region's most vulnerable communities. To cite one example, as suppressed Punjabi Dalits turn to Christianity for dignity, Sikh religious bodies express alarm. In this climate of hostility and control, a Christian pastor can be brazenly shot dead in public. Modern Sikh extremism and its soft targets An early instance of Sikh moral policing was the 1988 assassination of Amar Singh Chamkila, a wildly popular Dalit singer and musician, targeted for performing songs deemed vulgar. His murder set a precedent. In the years that followed, those punished for transgressing Sikh religious norms or Punjabi cultural values were almost always from marginalised socio-economic backgrounds. The 2024 biopic on Chamkila depicts how he was repeatedly hauled before Sikh religious courts to apologise. In one poignant scene, Chamkila quietly questions why he alone is being 'disciplined,' while other – usually upper-caste – musicians perform similar songs without repercussions. In contemporary Punjab and the Sikh diaspora in the West, Khalistani sympathisers often ignore pressing local issues – such as the systemic oppression of Dalits (who make up 32% of Punjab's population and are mostly landless), the struggles of women and the LGBTQ groups in a hyper-masculine culture, as well as the exploitation of migrant labourers from poor Hindi-speaking states. Meanwhile, Punjab has witnessed multiple incidents of lynching for alleged acts of blasphemy against the Sikh religion. The victims are almost always from poor, marginal backgrounds and receive little attention from mainstream media. One such killing drew widespread notice because it occurred at the holiest Sikh site, the Golden Temple. In another, a Dalit labourer was brutally hacked to death with swords over similar accusations. Migrant workers have been particularly vulnerable. These workers had arrived in Punjab during the agricultural boom of the 1970s and 1980s, many settling permanently and raising families. During the peak of Sikh militancy in the 1980s, these poor labourers – often Hindu, non-Punjabi, and from marginalised castes – could be killed to assert Sikh dominance. For example, in May 1990, over a dozen migrants were shot dead. A convenient morality What stands out in the current wave of moral policing is its selective nature. Young women like Kumari and Luthra – poor, vulnerable, Hindu, and lacking influential connections – are publicly threatened or even killed. In contrast, no such outrage is directed at wealthy or well-connected Punjabi celebrities who produce music and videos that glorify violence, upper-caste supremacy, sexism, or are overtly sexual. A few social media users have questioned why the self-appointed moral guardians remain silent about figures like Sunny Leone (born Karenjit Kaur Vohra), a Bollywood celebrity and former porn star of Sikh background. Leone's entry into Bollywood around 2012 arguably accelerated the mainstreaming and commercialisation of sexually explicit content in the entertainment industry, and influenced aspiring Indian female performers on social media platforms. Yet she remains largely shielded from belligerent critics because of wealth, influential connections, and a privileged caste status. In stark contrast, Mehron's video repeatedly dehumanises the murdered Kanchan Kumari, mocking her outsider and marginal status, using ethnic slurs like ' Bhaiya Rani [Bhaiya Princess] of UP and Bihar'. Bhayia is a derogatory term in Punjab commonly used to belittle Hindi-speaking migrant labourers, many of whom belong to marginalised Hindu castes or are socially disadvantaged. Kumari's surname was Tiwari, an upper class surname, and she ' grew up in Ludhiana's Lakshman Nagar, a congested neighbourhood of migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar." By targeting convenient scapegoats, these moral policemen and their supporters are not defending the Sikh faith. Rather, they are exploiting religious sentiment for personal notoriety, commercial gain, political clout, and online attention. Mehron himself was a minor internet celebrity. This selective vigilantism seeks to consolidate power by controlling the bodies, voices, and identities of those least able to resist – individuals whose murder is unlikely to spark widespread outrage, attract global media scrutiny, or result in serious consequences for the perpetrators. Rajiv Thind holds a PhD in English from the University of Queensland. He is a writer, literary critic, and currently a visiting academic at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. 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Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: Govt to collab with foreign embassies for Punjab's educational growth, says Bains
In an initiative to promote Punjabi as the mother tongue at both national and international levels, the Punjab government has introduced the 'International Punjabi Boli Olympiad' as an annual event. This olympiad provides an online syllabus and a structured testing platform to assess proficiency in the Punjabi language, said education minister Harjot Singh Bains on Friday while distributing prizes to the winners at the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains (HT File) Minister Bains stated that the initiative aims to strengthen the connection of the younger generation with their linguistic roots. The olympiad, which began two years ago under the aegis of PSEB, honoured the winners of the International Punjabi Boli Olympiad 2024 with cash prizes— ₹5,100 for first place, ₹3,100 for second, and ₹2,100 for third position. The olympiad was open to students from Class 3 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 12. Registration began in August, followed by a mock test in November. The final examination was conducted on December 7 and 8, 2024, scheduled as per the time zones of Europe, Africa, America, Australia, and India to facilitate global participation. Commending PSEB for the successful execution of the event, the minister urged that it be made a permanent annual feature to promote the Punjabi language wherever Punjabi-speaking communities reside. Bains further announced that the Board would soon collaborate with foreign embassies and educational institutions to strengthen Punjab's global educational footprint. He added that in the near future, PSEB would be recognised internationally for its exceptional initiatives. Bains also revealed that a Science Olympiad would also be launched soon by PSEB. 'The Board is also set to launch its own YouTube channel to support educational outreach,' he added. Appreciating the efforts of teachers and subject experts involved in developing the Olympiad curriculum and coordinating related activities, the minister felicitated them during the event. While interacting with media persons, Minister Bains addressed concerns regarding vacant principal posts. He assured that 450 principals would be promoted soon, and that teachers' vacancies are being filled through the due process. Amarpal Singh, chairman of PSEB, thanked the education minister and reaffirmed the board's commitment to continuing the olympiad and launching the Science Olympiad.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No boys, no meat, no logic: NRI lambasts Indian-Canadian landlords over 'embarrassing' rental advertisements
An Indian woman currently residing in Canada recently raised a critical concern about biased rental practices among Indian landlords abroad . In a widely discussed Reddit post, she conveyed her disappointment and embarrassment at encountering housing advertisements that impose exclusionary preferences rooted in caste, religion, native language, or even dietary habits. These discriminatory tendencies, she noted, are distressingly common in rental listings circulating within South Asian immigrant from her personal experiences, the woman shared how such ads frequently specify conditions like 'only Gujarati girl,' 'Punjabi-speaking vegetarian preferred,' or 'South Indian girls only—no boys allowed.' Some listings even go further, insisting tenants must be strictly vegetarian, barring even outside non-vegetarian food, or stating that only individuals speaking a specific language or following a particular religion will be considered suitable. To her, these expectations felt deeply regressive and out of place in a multicultural, law-governed society like didn't shy away from pointing out how these landlords seem to be ignoring the legal frameworks in place that prohibit discrimination in housing. Her post raised a significant question: Why do some landlords behave as though they're still operating under informal, unchecked systems from back home, despite living in a country with established human rights laws?The woman urged that if landlords are so rigid about who they want living in their properties based on language, background, or food habits, they should consider alternative arrangements—like living with family or not renting the space out at all. She argued that being a tenant does not mean one has to match the landlord's personal preferences. As long as renters respect the lease, pay rent on time, and abide by legal guidelines, their cultural background or dietary preferences should not be a post sparked a flood of responses, many echoing her sentiments. One user shared their experience in Vancouver, advising against renting from South Asian landlords due to recurring issues such as lack of privacy, unannounced visits, and poor communication. They recalled an absurd listing that offered free rent to a woman, provided she cooked daily for five male tenants—an offer that felt more like a bizarre matrimonial ad than a housing user recounted being shown a cramped room that had to be shared with a stranger, separated only by a flimsy screen, and said they've avoided Indian landlords ever since. Yet, some voices in the thread defended the landlords, claiming property owners have the freedom to select tenants who align with their personal comfort debate continues online, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, respect for laws, and a more inclusive mindset within diaspora communities.
News18
06-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
NRI Slams Indian Landlords In Canada Over ‘Moronic' Rental Ads: ‘Blatant Exclusion…'
Last Updated: The woman expressed her frustration and embarrassment with the exclusionary nature of rental listings like preferences based on caste, religion, language within Indian communities. An Indian woman in Canada has voiced her frustration over discriminatory rental practices within Indian communities abroad. In a now viral Reddit post, the woman expressed her frustration and embarrassment with the exclusionary nature of rental listings like preferences based on caste, religion, language or dietary choices, frequently seen in South Asian circles. 'I'm an Indian living in Canada and honestly, I'm beyond frustrated and embarrassed by the kind of rental ads I keep seeing," she said. 'It's always something like 'Only Gujarati girl,' or 'Punjabi-speaking vegetarian girl preferred,' or 'South Indian girls only, no boy inquiries please.' Some go as far as saying 'Strictly vegetarian, no non-veg even from outside,' or 'We are looking for someone who speaks our mother tongue only,' 'follow our religion only,'" she described. Questioning the landlords' intentions, the woman accused them of ignoring housing discrimination laws. 'You're not in India anymore, where you can get away with putting up caste, language and dietary restrictions in rental ads like it's normal," she added. 'If you're that picky about language, food, and background, maybe just don't rent the place out? Or live with your family? This isn't a matchmaking service. They're not requesting to marry you. I can eat whatever I want or speak in whatever language I want as long as I'm following the lease agreements and paying you the rent. I also don't have to be an 'Indian only' to rent from you. This is so insanely moronic," she wrote. Netizens React The post has garnered significant support online. 'Been in vancouver for a few years now & from my experience, never rent from desi landlords. No sense of privacy, basic manners like taking permission & minimum 24 hour notice before showing up.. etc. Funniest for me was this one ad went like : Need a sister for 5 brothers currently living in 6 bedroom house. No rent required, only make fresh food daily for her new 5 brothers.. true story!," a user commented. Another wrote, 'When I moved to Vancouver pre Covid, I was looking for an accommodation and some Indian landlord showed me a place where I had to share a room with another person with a screen which divided our bed. From then never went with Indian landlords and am happy with that decision till now." Others, however, argued that since the landlords owned the property, they had the right to choose who lived there according to their preferences. First Published: June 06, 2025, 20:44 IST
