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- By Ridhi Suri
- Sat, 20 Jul 2024 11:08 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Following allegations of non-payment to desi dancers during the Dil-Luminati Tour, Diljit Dosanjh’s manager has responded with an official statement addressing the controversy. Accusations surfaced claiming that dancers on Diljit’s tour were not paid for their performances. Rajat Batta, an entrepreneur based in LA and owner of multiple dance institutes, expressed his disappointment on social media. While acknowledging Diljit’s achievements, he pointed out that desi dancers were reportedly expected to perform without payment. Amid this, Sonali (Diljit's manager) has clarified that neither Rajat Batta nor Manpreet Toor were ever contacted or involved in the tour, dismissing what she called false narratives being spread.
While Diljit has not yet issued a statement addressing these allegations, Sonali clarified, "Our official team never contacted Rajat Batta or Manpreet Toor who are presenting false narratives on social media. Rajat and Manpreet were not part of the Dil-Luminati Tour in any way," the statement read. Adding, "The official choreographers for the tour were Balwinder Singh, Preet Chahal, Divya, and Parth from Vancouver". She stressed, those not involved in the tour to refrain from spreading misinformation.
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What Rajat Batta had said?
Earlier, Rajat had shared, "We are proud of Diljit breaking barriers but deeply disappointed that desi dancers are still undervalued. All dancers in the Dil-Luminati Tour were not paid and were expected to perform for free. It’s disappointing to see an artist of this caliber cutting corners at the expense of the desi dancer community."
In response to these allegations, several dancers who participated in the tour expressed their gratitude for the opportunity. They described their participation as a 'priceless opportunity' and a tribute to their heritage. The statement underscored their voluntary involvement and thanked Diljit for providing them with a platform. "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," bhangra team said.
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