Superstar Diljit Dosanjh is basking in global acclaim for his sold-out arena performances during his ongoing Dil-Luminati Tour across Canada and the USA. However, the tour has attracted controversy due to allegations that background dancers are not being compensated for their work, according to the Indian Express.
Rajat Batta, a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur and owner of a dance institute, voiced his concerns on social media. Praising Diljit Dosanjh for his achievements, Batta expressed discontent over what he described as the mistreatment of Desi dancers. In an Instagram post, Batta commended Diljit for “breaking the glass ceiling,” but criticized the tour’s treatment of dancers, stating, “It’s deeply disappointing that Desi Dancers are still undervalued as an industry. All of the Desi Dancers in Diljit’s Dil-Luminati Tour were not paid and were expected to perform for free.”
Batta’s remarks included a callout to the singer for allegedly cutting corners and undervaluing the Desi dance community. “It’s really disappointing to see an artist of this caliber cut corners by stepping on the throats of the Desi Dancer industry,” he added.
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In response, several dancers from the tour issued a statement defending their participation. They described their involvement as a “priceless opportunity” to showcase Punjabi culture on an international stage. Their statement read, “Each performance is a tribute to our virsa, preserving the pure folk bhangra traditions we hold dear. Sharing our art form on such a prestigious platform is an invaluable reward in itself.”
The dancers expressed gratitude for the opportunity and refuted claims of mistreatment. “While we appreciate the concern, we do not wish to be represented by voices who don’t understand our relationship, our motivations, sacrifices, and the immense value we place on such experiences. We are proud of our participation and the new avenues it has opened for the Punjabi community. Do not try to break our bond. We stand united,” the post concluded. It was signed by “All The Bhangra Teams & Captains.”
Despite the dancers’ enthusiastic defense, their statement leaves some ambiguity regarding the nature of their compensation, suggesting that they were rewarded with opportunities rather than direct financial remuneration.
