Spot on and well articulated points. DD pretty much sums up how the struggle has become superficial since the last Shaheedian, when it was real. Seperately it needs addressing that DD is considered a great ambassador for the Dastar, but too often he’s pictured wearing hats and caps, the two are not compatible and again misrepresentative of how sacred we hold our Dastar (turban)
I really enjoyed reading this, I'm not surprised it has ruffled some feathers though. Nuance is important which I feel is what you have added by sharing this perspective. It certainly wasn't one I was privy to and I'm grateful to know. The more you know, thank you so much for sharing 🙏🏼
Your article on Diljit Dosanjh’s Met Gala outfit is, frankly, a load of nonsense, and I’m calling you out for it. I’m fed up with this nitpicking, joyless takedown that can’t let Punjabi Sikhs have a moment of pride without turning it into a history seminar. The second I hit “Cis-Satluj” (although kudos for not forcing your 'preferred pronouns' on the reader) in your piece, I knew you were gearing up to dissect every inch of Diljit’s outfit until there was nothing left to celebrate. The man walked the Met Gala red carpet—the biggest stage in fashion—and repped Punjabi Sikh culture with an outfit that was pure fire. That Gurmukhi script on his cape? Absolute perfection, a bold shout-out to our heritage that had me beaming with pride. And here you are, whining about it being “disingenuous” like you’ve got a personal vendetta.
Your obsession with Patiala’s old alliances and the post-1966 Panjab map is way off base. Who cares if the outfit mixes different historical vibes? It’s fashion, not a courtroom for Sikh sovereignty. Diljit wasn’t there to deliver a lecture on Maharaja Ranjit Singh or British betrayals—he was there to show the world our culture belongs in the spotlight. All your talk of “aestheticized compliance” and “soft assimilation” is just pretentious noise. That Gurmukhi wasn’t “hollowed” or “weaponized”—it was a powerful statement of who we are, and it resonated with me and tons of others. You’re acting like Diljit’s outfit is some grand sellout, but it’s a red carpet, not a war zone.
I’m sick of gatekeepers like you who can’t enjoy a win without dragging up centuries-old grudges. The diaspora doesn’t need you scolding us about historical “erasures” when one of our own is shining globally. Your fear-mongering about “normalizing” post-1966 boundaries is absurd—nobody’s out here rethinking Panjab’s history because of a cape. Young Sikhs aren’t confused; they’re hyped to see Diljit killing it. You’re not holding anyone accountable—you’re just raining on our parade. Let us celebrate a Punjabi icon owning the stage without your overanalyzed lecture. Your article isn’t deep—it’s just a buzzkill. Get over yourself.
I think it’s a mix of both. It’s a proud moment that he is the first Sikh at the met gala that has knowingly leaned into his culture. I’m sure the designers had no idea about the political meaning behind embroidering the map. I also take umbrage to the kirpan and Gurmukhi as that brings in Sikh values as fashion which it never is; it’s a way of life. However for the masses it should create debate, interest and hopefully discourse on sikhi, Punjab and the split of the diaspora. Sikhi seems to be who takes greatest offence now. We have Sikh pacharaks claiming Southall sangat is better than Slough sangat or vice versa. Why are we creating more new caste systems? Why are we distancing different areas of uk or Canada as “worse” factions of Sikhi when we are all one? It all comes down to ego which we are not supposed to have. After all the only reason differences are lauded is ones false beliefs of superiority over the other. BCM🙏🏼
Thank you for sharing your passionate perspective. I appreciate your pride in Diljit’s achievement and see how meaningful his appearance at the Met Gala is for you and others.
My intention was never to diminish that sense of pride. I also personally have nothing against him, and wish him the best for his music career. Rather, my aim was to explore the layers of meaning and historical context that accompany his decision, especially given the complex history and politics surrounding Panjab, and that map. Of course the Met Gala isn't a place to hold actual meaningful discourse, that's why we have spaces like this to read between the lines, and dissect, whether you think that's needed or not.
Thanks again for engaging with my article so passionately. It’s important for diverse voices to be heard, and I value the dialogue, even if I think you've completely missed the points and taken the article as some kind of personal attack on a Panjabi music icon and rained on his paarade. That was never the intention.
In a way its a positive for the reasons you outline, but it shouldnt be forgotten that those lines are arbitrary and forceably imposed.
Why celebrate an ever shrinking box? Will the Gurmukhi on his chola actually lead to people learning or speaking more Punjabi a week or month from now?
Thats not all the duty of Diljit Dosanjh of course. He's one guy. But if we're not capitalising on this for something more tangible, then this is all just dress up and nothing more.
Spot on and well articulated points. DD pretty much sums up how the struggle has become superficial since the last Shaheedian, when it was real. Seperately it needs addressing that DD is considered a great ambassador for the Dastar, but too often he’s pictured wearing hats and caps, the two are not compatible and again misrepresentative of how sacred we hold our Dastar (turban)
Great article Khalsa Ji
Good article.
I really enjoyed reading this, I'm not surprised it has ruffled some feathers though. Nuance is important which I feel is what you have added by sharing this perspective. It certainly wasn't one I was privy to and I'm grateful to know. The more you know, thank you so much for sharing 🙏🏼
Your article on Diljit Dosanjh’s Met Gala outfit is, frankly, a load of nonsense, and I’m calling you out for it. I’m fed up with this nitpicking, joyless takedown that can’t let Punjabi Sikhs have a moment of pride without turning it into a history seminar. The second I hit “Cis-Satluj” (although kudos for not forcing your 'preferred pronouns' on the reader) in your piece, I knew you were gearing up to dissect every inch of Diljit’s outfit until there was nothing left to celebrate. The man walked the Met Gala red carpet—the biggest stage in fashion—and repped Punjabi Sikh culture with an outfit that was pure fire. That Gurmukhi script on his cape? Absolute perfection, a bold shout-out to our heritage that had me beaming with pride. And here you are, whining about it being “disingenuous” like you’ve got a personal vendetta.
Your obsession with Patiala’s old alliances and the post-1966 Panjab map is way off base. Who cares if the outfit mixes different historical vibes? It’s fashion, not a courtroom for Sikh sovereignty. Diljit wasn’t there to deliver a lecture on Maharaja Ranjit Singh or British betrayals—he was there to show the world our culture belongs in the spotlight. All your talk of “aestheticized compliance” and “soft assimilation” is just pretentious noise. That Gurmukhi wasn’t “hollowed” or “weaponized”—it was a powerful statement of who we are, and it resonated with me and tons of others. You’re acting like Diljit’s outfit is some grand sellout, but it’s a red carpet, not a war zone.
I’m sick of gatekeepers like you who can’t enjoy a win without dragging up centuries-old grudges. The diaspora doesn’t need you scolding us about historical “erasures” when one of our own is shining globally. Your fear-mongering about “normalizing” post-1966 boundaries is absurd—nobody’s out here rethinking Panjab’s history because of a cape. Young Sikhs aren’t confused; they’re hyped to see Diljit killing it. You’re not holding anyone accountable—you’re just raining on our parade. Let us celebrate a Punjabi icon owning the stage without your overanalyzed lecture. Your article isn’t deep—it’s just a buzzkill. Get over yourself.
I think it’s a mix of both. It’s a proud moment that he is the first Sikh at the met gala that has knowingly leaned into his culture. I’m sure the designers had no idea about the political meaning behind embroidering the map. I also take umbrage to the kirpan and Gurmukhi as that brings in Sikh values as fashion which it never is; it’s a way of life. However for the masses it should create debate, interest and hopefully discourse on sikhi, Punjab and the split of the diaspora. Sikhi seems to be who takes greatest offence now. We have Sikh pacharaks claiming Southall sangat is better than Slough sangat or vice versa. Why are we creating more new caste systems? Why are we distancing different areas of uk or Canada as “worse” factions of Sikhi when we are all one? It all comes down to ego which we are not supposed to have. After all the only reason differences are lauded is ones false beliefs of superiority over the other. BCM🙏🏼
Thank you for sharing your passionate perspective. I appreciate your pride in Diljit’s achievement and see how meaningful his appearance at the Met Gala is for you and others.
My intention was never to diminish that sense of pride. I also personally have nothing against him, and wish him the best for his music career. Rather, my aim was to explore the layers of meaning and historical context that accompany his decision, especially given the complex history and politics surrounding Panjab, and that map. Of course the Met Gala isn't a place to hold actual meaningful discourse, that's why we have spaces like this to read between the lines, and dissect, whether you think that's needed or not.
Thanks again for engaging with my article so passionately. It’s important for diverse voices to be heard, and I value the dialogue, even if I think you've completely missed the points and taken the article as some kind of personal attack on a Panjabi music icon and rained on his paarade. That was never the intention.
In a way its a positive for the reasons you outline, but it shouldnt be forgotten that those lines are arbitrary and forceably imposed.
Why celebrate an ever shrinking box? Will the Gurmukhi on his chola actually lead to people learning or speaking more Punjabi a week or month from now?
Thats not all the duty of Diljit Dosanjh of course. He's one guy. But if we're not capitalising on this for something more tangible, then this is all just dress up and nothing more.
Well said Jindsing! 100 percent agree with your comments to this absolutely useless and nonsense article. 👏 👍🙏