Who is Shubh, Canada-based singer facing backlash ahead of his Mumbai concert?

Canada-based Punjabi singer Shubhneet Singh, known by his stage name Shubh, is all set to perform in Mumbai on September 23 and 24 as part of Shubh Still Rollin India Tour. He will hold shows across 9 cities including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Pune among others. The tour will conclude on November 5. 

However, members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have alleged that Shubh supports separatist Khalistani elements. Consequently, BJYM has demanded strict action against the rapper-singer and urged the Mumbai Police to cancel his shows.

3 things you need to know

• A few months ago, Shubh on his social media handle, posted a distorted map of India omitting Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
• Members of BJYM have urged the Mumbai Police to cancel his performances in India.
• Shubh's songs are popular on Instagram reels and he has over 1 million followers on Instagram.

'No place for Khalistan supporters'

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) claimed that Canadian singer Shubh has extended support to the Khalistan movement through his social media handle. In March, Shubh posted a distorted map of India on social media, the BJYM claimed. The outfit has submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner of Police in Mumbai seeking strict action against him and cancellation of all his upcoming performances in India.

On Saturday, members of BJYM removed posters of the upcoming tour of Shubh in Mumbai, saying that there is no place for 'Khalistan' supporters in the country. 

(Album Cover of Shubh's debut album Still Rollin')

Who is Shubh?

Shubh is relatively new in the music industry but has amassed massive popularity in India and elsewhere owing to his hit track We Rollin, which was released worldwide in 2021. After this, he released two more singles - Elevated and Offshore, which too became massive hits.

In 2022, Shubh released three more singles - No Love, Baller and Her, all of which became hugely popular. While all of Shubh's tracks became hits, Baller, in particular, made in collaboration with music producer Ikky, went on to become his most streamed track. The track also made it to the Canadian Hot 100 chart and peaked at the 68th spot.

In 2023, Shubh came out with his debut album Still Rollin. It was ranked at the 16th spot on Billboard Canadian Albums Charts. In September, he will embark on his World Tour and will perform in 9 venues in India. However, before the tour commences, Shubh has been at the centre of a massive controversy over his alleged support for the Khalistani movement that is banned in India. 

What is the controversy surrounding Shubh? 

On March 23, Shubh posted an inaccurate map of India omitting Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab on his Instagram account. He accompanied it with the caption 'Pray for India'. According to reports, the post was shared by the singer when the Punjab Police were on the hunt for fugitive Amritpal Singh, a supporter of the Khalistani movement.