Australian Minister Apologises After Singer Diljit Dosanjh Targets Racist Abuse
Assistant Minister Julian Hill condemns hateful remarks directed at the Punjabi star and affirms Australia’s commitment to diversity
Australia’s Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill, has publicly apologised for racist abuse aimed at Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh during his Australia tour.
The minister said that “Australia has no place for racial discrimination” and expressed regret that Dosanjh had “copped such rubbish from a tiny minority of idiots.”
The behalf of the minister follows online comments made when Dosanjh arrived in Australia and posted about the slurs he received.
Among the remarks cited were: “Uber driver aa gaya (The Uber driver is here)” and “The new 7/11 employee has landed,” which Dosanjh posted about without expressing anger, saying instead: “If truck drivers cease to exist, you won’t get bread for your home.” He added: “My love goes out to everyone.”
Minister Hill lauded Dosanjh’s response, describing it as “positive and educative” and adding “it’s very clear who is the bigger person in this.” He affirmed: “I’m so glad Diljit is in Australia, and we welcome him.” The minister’s remarks align with government efforts to uphold multicultural values amid a rising spotlight on online abuse and hate-speech targeting ethnic minorities.
The apology also comes amid other tensions surrounding Dosanjh’s Australian tour.
In Sydney, hundreds of Sikh-community fans were denied entry to his concert at Parramatta Stadium after being told their kirpans—religious daggers worn as articles of faith—were not permitted inside the venue.
One concertgoer described the experience as “disrespectful and hurtful.”
For his part, Dosanjh continues his “AURA” Australia tour with sold-out shows in Melbourne at AAMI Park on November 1, Adelaide on November 5 and Perth on November 9, drawing large Punjabi and Sikh diaspora audiences.
His advocacy for inclusivity and his composed reaction to the incident have been widely praised in Australia and abroad.
The minister said that “Australia has no place for racial discrimination” and expressed regret that Dosanjh had “copped such rubbish from a tiny minority of idiots.”
The behalf of the minister follows online comments made when Dosanjh arrived in Australia and posted about the slurs he received.
Among the remarks cited were: “Uber driver aa gaya (The Uber driver is here)” and “The new 7/11 employee has landed,” which Dosanjh posted about without expressing anger, saying instead: “If truck drivers cease to exist, you won’t get bread for your home.” He added: “My love goes out to everyone.”
Minister Hill lauded Dosanjh’s response, describing it as “positive and educative” and adding “it’s very clear who is the bigger person in this.” He affirmed: “I’m so glad Diljit is in Australia, and we welcome him.” The minister’s remarks align with government efforts to uphold multicultural values amid a rising spotlight on online abuse and hate-speech targeting ethnic minorities.
The apology also comes amid other tensions surrounding Dosanjh’s Australian tour.
In Sydney, hundreds of Sikh-community fans were denied entry to his concert at Parramatta Stadium after being told their kirpans—religious daggers worn as articles of faith—were not permitted inside the venue.
One concertgoer described the experience as “disrespectful and hurtful.”
For his part, Dosanjh continues his “AURA” Australia tour with sold-out shows in Melbourne at AAMI Park on November 1, Adelaide on November 5 and Perth on November 9, drawing large Punjabi and Sikh diaspora audiences.
His advocacy for inclusivity and his composed reaction to the incident have been widely praised in Australia and abroad.
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