Consumer electronics brand boAt, led by Aman Gupta, has announced the withdrawal of its sponsorship from the upcoming tour of Canada-based singer Shubneet Singh, also known as Shubh. The singer has faced criticism for his association with the Khalistan movement. Shubh’s scheduled shows were set to take place from September 23 to 25 on Cordelia Cruises in Mumbai.
Citing Controversial Past
boAt explained its decision to withdraw sponsorship by referencing Shubh’s controversial history. In a statement, the company stated, “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.”
Supporting Indian Talent
Despite the withdrawal of sponsorship, boAt expressed its commitment to nurturing the music culture in India and providing platforms for emerging artists to showcase their talent. The company affirmed its dedication to the Indian music community while distancing itself from controversial associations.
Controversial Past
In March of the same year, Shubh shared a distorted map of India on an Instagram story with the caption ‘Pray for Punjab,’ showing solidarity with the Khalistan movement. This action attracted criticism and sparked a debate over artists’ political affiliations and their impact on their sponsors and audiences.