LONDON/SAN FRANCISCO: A Khalistan Referendum activist who disrupted Diljit Dosanjh’s concert at the Chase Center in San Francisco by reaching the stage with a Khalistan flag has been released, according to Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) which is campaigning for Khalistan Referendum worldwide.
The incident took place during Diljit Dosanjh’s Aura World Tour performance in San Francisco, where the activist, identified by SFJ as Jassa, bypassed security and reached the stage while carrying the Khalistan flag. Videos circulated online showed security personnel quickly intervening and removing him from the stage.
According to Sikhs For Justice, a complaint was filed by Diljit Dosanjh’s management team alleging that Jassa had made a “will kill you” threat. SFJ claimed that the allegation was false and that its legal team intervened, after which the complaint was thrown out and the activist was released.
Sikhs For Justice General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said the activist had “stood for the Panth” and claimed that the legal process had supported him.
Pannun also announced financial support of $11,000 for Jassa, saying the money was being offered for raising the Khalistan flag and challenging Diljit over his performance on the Shaheedi Dihara of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
SFJ has accused Diljit Dosanjh of disrespecting Sikh sentiments by performing on the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and by associating with Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, whom the group continues to accuse over his alleged role in the aftermath of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.
Bachchan has previously denied allegations linked to the 1984 violence.
Diljit Dosanjh has not issued a fresh detailed statement on the San Francisco incident, but he has previously said that his concern is not with flags or banners, but with people disrupting concerts or harassing fans.
The San Francisco incident follows earlier disruptions at Diljit Dosanjh’s overseas concerts, where pro-Khalistan activists displayed flags and raised slogans during his performances.
