Diljit Dosanjh's Aroma song leaves bitter aftertaste with use of transgender slur

Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh is facing criticism over a lyric in his song Aroma. Listeners have accused the track of casually using the term ‘chakka’ - widely considered a slur for transgender and gender-nonconforming people, while framing it in contrast to an ideal of ‘real’ masculinity. The debate gained traction on June 1, the start of Pride Month, as social media users questioned the message conveyed by the line and argued that it reinforces harmful stereotypes about gender and masculinity. Aroma, a collaboration between Diljit, Raj Ranjodh and music producer Tru-Skool, was released on April 23.

The verse at the centre of the controversy reads: “Oh mardaan di gall hundi yakkyaan di nai... Jurrataan di talk hundi chakkyaan di nai.” According to translations shared by listeners on social media, the lines roughly mean: “This is the talk of men, not weaklings. This is the talk of courage, not of chhakke (cowardice)’." Users have said the lyric uses a term widely regarded as derogatory and appears to equate courage and masculinity while belittling gender-nonconforming identities.

A month after the song’s release, several listeners said they had been hearing the track without understanding the meaning of the lyrics. They said they only realised what the verse appeared to mean after translations began circulating online.

Actor Manish Poonam was among those who criticised the song. In an Instagram Story, he wrote, "Courage and men don’t go along each other. Hoping this move would make you more of a man. Shame."

Another Instagram user wrote, "He is working in the entertainment industry, which is built, shaped and sustained by countless queer people. I am so confused, why did nobody question it before its release. Did no one stop to think about the message it sends. And I hope there is an explanation to this (sic)."

Reacting to the video, an X user wrote , "Bruh Diljit Dosanjh straight up used a transphobic slur with no filter in his latest song I can’t do this anymore I thought he was a good person (sic)."

Here are few comments posted on YouTube's comments section:

Another post said, "Amazing, like in a country where people are just fighting to get their mere share of equality, their huge figures like this use words casually without thinking about anyone’s sentiments. We are evolving day by day. Happy Pride Month."

The discussion around Aroma continued on social media as users highlighted the reach and influence of major artists. Diljit Dosanjh has not publicly addressed the controversy so far.

The criticism over Aroma comes weeks after Diljit Dosanjh was drawn into a controversy surrounding his citizenship. A report by The Indian Express claimed that the singer-actor has been travelling on a US passport since 2022, sparking debate on social media.