Bengaluru: Woman attendee of Diljit Dosanjh concert alleges she was forced to 'speak in Kannada'

A harrowing incident at Diljit Dosanjh’s concert in Bengaluru has sparked debate online, as an attendee shared her troubling experience of harassment and hostility. Tanisha Sabherwal, a social media user, detailed the ordeal on X, recounting an encounter that escalated into verbal abuse and physical aggression.

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Sabherwal claimed the incident began when a fellow attendee, whom she described as “triple my size,” attempted to push ahead in the crowd. “I had a strong stance, and then she starts to push me. Which is okay, happens in concerts,” Sabherwal wrote. However, when she politely asked the woman to step back, she was met with hostility. 

I never thought I’ll be saying this, after having lived for so long but BANGALORE WILL COLLAPSE soon because of this language issue.

If you’re gonna say ‘then learn’, go ahead but READ ON.

Yesterday’s Diljeet concert experience was pathetic.

— Tanisha Sabherwal (@tanishaaa03) December 7, 2024

“All I get is classic ‘Speak in Kannada’ and whole lots of ‘F***,’” she added, highlighting the linguistic tensions that sometimes arise in Bengaluru. The situation intensified when her male friend intervened to support her. According to Sabherwal, the woman began aggressively hurling casteist remarks while recording them on her phone.

The encounter allegedly escalated to physical aggression, with the woman grabbing and twisting her friend’s hand, an act that was also caught on video. “Touchwood, most people supported, asked her to not create a scene,” Sabherwal shared, expressing gratitude for the crowd’s intervention.

The incident has reignited discussions around safety, harassment, and the language divide in Bengaluru. Authorities are yet to comment on the matter.