Indo-Canadian Punjabi rapper AP Dhillon has caused a stir within Indian music enthusiasts after smashing a guitar at his performance during the Coachella music festival. The act, which goes against the traditional reverence for musical instruments in Indian culture, has sparked intense criticism and led to Dhillon dropping out of the festival's second weekend.

Dhillon, known for his energetic rap performances, concluded his set at Coachella by smashing an ESP LTD Kirk Hammett V guitar, a common practice in Western rock 'n' roll culture. However, in Indian culture, musical instruments are held in high regard, and the destruction of an instrument is viewed as disrespectful to the craft of music.

The backlash intensified when Dhillon shared footage of the guitar smash on Instagram. Commenters voiced their negative responses, labeling the act as "cringe" and a disregard for musical tradition. The strong sentiment against Dhillon's action was exemplified by one comment expressing that the late Punjabi rapper, Sidhu Moosewala, whom Dhillon paid tribute to during his performance, would have respected musical instruments as an artist.

In a subsequent Instagram post, titled "The media is controlled and I'm out of control," Dhillon further reinforced his stance by sharing images of his Coachella backdrop that read "Justice for Sidhu Moosewala" and photos of the guitar-smashing act. The final slide of the post featured a video of Kurt Cobain also smashing a guitar.

Online critics were quick to respond, with one commenter urging Dhillon to learn better manners and values, highlighting the importance of respecting musical instruments rooted in Indian culture. Another expressed disappointment and advised Dhillon to apologize to himself, acknowledging that a true musician cherishes their instruments more than anything else. One response simply described Dhillon's caption as "cringe."

As a result of the controversy, AP Dhillon decided to withdraw from the second weekend of the Coachella festival, citing conflicting schedules. This decision, coincidentally, came shortly after Flea, the bassist of the renowned rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, posted a cryptic message on social media.

Dhillon's guitar-smashing act and the subsequent backlash have shed light on the clash between Western rock 'n' roll traditions and the Indian reverence for musical instruments. It also serves as a reminder for artists to carefully consider cultural contexts and the sentiments of their audience when performing on international platforms.

Coachella organizers have not commented on Dhillon's withdrawal, and it remains to be seen if his controversial act will have any lasting impact on his career within the music industry.