New Delhi: Consumer electronics company boAt on Tuesday said it has decided to withdraw sponsorship of Canada-based Punjabi singer Shubh’s upcoming tour to India over certain remarks he made earlier this year.
“At boAt, while our commitment to the incredible music community runs deep, we are first and foremost a true Indian brand. Therefore, when we became aware of the remarks made by artist Shubh earlier this year, we chose to withdraw our sponsorship from the tour,” the company said in a post on social media platform X.
In January 2023, Shubh posted a distorted map of India on his Instagram account, with the states of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab removed. This led to outrage in India, as many Indians saw it as a support for the separatist Khalistan movement.
Shubh has apologized for posting the distorted map, but he has denied that he supports the Khalistan movement. He has said that he is a proud Indian and that he loves his country.
The withdrawal of boAt’s sponsorship is a setback for Shubh’s tour. However, he has said that he is still determined to go ahead with the tour. He has also said that he is open to meeting with Indian leaders to discuss his views and to clear up any misunderstandings.
It remains to be seen whether Shubh will be able to go ahead with his tour without boAt’s sponsorship. It is also unclear whether other Indian brands will be willing to sponsor the tour in light of the controversy surrounding Shubh.