boAt ends sponsorship for Canadian singer's India tour

Controversy surrounding Shubh's concert

Electronics brand boAt has announced its decision to withdraw sponsorship for the upcoming India tour of Canadian Punjabi singer Shubneet Singh, known as Shubh. The 26-year-old artist had been scheduled to perform in Mumbai and tour several Indian cities, including New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

Shubh's planned concert in Mumbai faced significant backlash, prompting boAt to take action. The electronics brand cited remarks made by the artist earlier this year as the reason for its sponsorship withdrawal. Shubh had previously shared a distorted map of India, leading to accusations of supporting Khalistani separatists.

ALSO READ: Elon Musk floats the idea of charging users for access to X to combat bots

Political and public opposition

Members of the Bharatiya Yuva Morcha (BYJM) had recently removed posters promoting Shubh's concert. The President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Tajinder Singh Tiwana, expressed strong opposition to Shubh's performance, emphasizing that there is no place for Khalistanis, whom he views as a threat to India's unity and integrity. Tiwana vowed to prevent Shubh from performing in Mumbai and indicated that further action would be taken if organizers did not address the concerns.

This controversy reflects the complex dynamics between cultural events, political sensitivities, and public sentiments. Shubh's India tour has become a focal point for discussions on free expression, political affiliations, and the responsibilities of sponsors in the face of such controversies.

ALSO READ: Byju's delays employee settlements amid financial crunch