"if I write Punjab as Panjab then it is considered a controversy."
Diljit Dosanjh has addressed the controversy surrounding the spelling of ‘Punjab’ as ‘Panjab’.
In an announcement for his upcoming tour in Chandigarh, Diljit referred to Punjab as ‘Panjab’.
The post led to criticism as many claimed that this spelling is primarily associated with the Pakistani side of the region.
Diljit faced accusations that his post was a subtle way of promoting the Pakistani side of Punjab.
The annoyance among netizens was fuelled when Diljit stated that he would not perform live in India until the infrastructure improves.
During his Chandigarh concert, he said: “Here we don’t have infrastructure for live shows.
“This is a source of big revenue, many people get work and are able to work here.
“I’ll try next time that the stage is at the centre so that you can be around it. Till this happens, I won’t do shows in India, that’s for sure.”
In response, one said: “If he can’t respect India’s stage, maybe his audience should reconsider their applause. True artists adapt, not abandon.”
Another wrote: “I bet he will find better infrastructure to be better in Pakistan as he loves Pakistan.”
The criticism prompted a reply from Diljit Dosanjh, who hit out at the unwarranted conspiracy theories people were coming up with.
He said: “If I mention Punjabi with the Indian flag in a tweet then there is a conspiracy, if I write Punjab as Panjab then it is considered a controversy.
“Whether you write Punjab as Panjab it will still remain Punjab. Panja-Aaab-5 Rivers.
“Those who are using the White man’s language, English, to generate a controversy.
“Congratulations, keep going, how many times do I have to prove that we love India… do something new or is this the only task you have been assigned?”
According to the Government of Punjab’s website, the first known documentation of the word ‘Punjab’ is in the writings of Ibn Battuta, who visited the region in the 14th century.
The term became more widely used during the second half of the 16th century.
The website states:
“The name Punjab is made of two words Punj (Five) + Aab (Water) ie land of five rivers.”
“These five rivers of Punjab are Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum. Only Sutlej, Ravi and Beas rivers flow in today’s Punjab.
“The other two rivers are now in the state of Punjab, situated in Pakistan.”
India’s Punjab was established in 1947 during Partition, splitting the former Raj province between India and Pakistan.
The usage of ‘Panjab’ has often been associated with the region pre-Partition.
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