Diljit Dosanjh, the prominent Punjabi vocalist and Bollywood performer who recently rejected a public invitation to enter the political arena in Punjab, is no longer a citizen of India and has not been for some time.

Investigations by The Indian Express have revealed that Dosanjh, whose iconic and prideful proclamation, "Main Hoon Punjab" (I am Punjab), acts as a potent testament to his cultural heritage, obtained United States citizenship in 2022.

Records indicate he has utilised a U.S. passport for international travel since Sept. 1, 2022. His final Indian passport was granted in Mumbai in 2018, following a previous document issued in Zambia.

Residency and Travel Status

The entertainer’s spouse, Sandeep Kaur, is likewise a U.S. national. Upon attaining his American citizenship, Dosanjh listed his primary residence as an expansive five-bedroom, 3,107-square-meter estate situated in a prestigious California neighbourhood.

Sources state that Dosanjh employed his American travel documents to visit India last month and has consistently entered the country on an e-visa since late 2022. This status suggests he has not obtained an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.

Political Appeals and Refusal

The revelation follows a full-page advertisement published last Saturday by a Punjab-based think tank comprising retired military personnel, former civil servants, and various professionals. The group implored Dosanjh to assume political leadership of the state, which they claimed had been "brought to its knees by successive dispensations."

Dosanjh swiftly dismissed the suggestion via a post on the social media platform X.

"Kadey v Nahi (never). Mera kaam entertainment karna (My job is to entertain people). Am very happy in my field. Thank you so much," Dosanjh stated.

Should the artist ever reconsider, significant legal barriers remain. Under Section 6 of the Indian Citizenship Act, a foreign citizen seeking naturalisation must meet rigorous residency requirements. These include having resided in India for a total of 12 years, with continuous residency for the 12 months immediately preceding the application and at least 11 of the 14 prior years.

Efforts by The Indian Express to reach Dosanjh for further clarification were unsuccessful. Queries directed to his secretary, Sonali Singh, and his local visa contact, Janamjai Sehgal, received no response.

Security Concerns and Career Background

The political pressure coincides with recent threats from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a leader of the outlawed separatist organisation Sikhs for Justice. Pannun reportedly targeted Dosanjh for his recent public rebukes of Khalistan sympathisers during performances in the Canadian cities of Calgary and Vancouver.

Born Jan. 6, 1984, in the village of Dosanjh Kalan in Jalandhar to Balbir Singh and Sukhwinder Kaur, the artist began his musical ascent with the 2004 album Ishq Da Uda Ada. He transitioned into cinema with the 2011 film The Lion of Punjab and achieved widespread acclaim following Jihne Mera Dil Luteya. His performance in the 2016 film Udta Punjab earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.

In 2020, Dosanjh became the first musician from India to be featured on the Billboard Social 50 chart. Just last month, he made a return appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he engaged in a discussion regarding Punjabi pride and Sikh history.