Diljit Dosanjh’s Regal Met Gala Debut Becomes a Cultural Flashpoint
Diljit Dosanjh, one of India’s most influential cultural icons, made his highly anticipated debut at the 2025 Met Gala. Known for celebrating his Punjabi heritage, Dosanjh embraced a regal theme inspired by the Maharaja of Patiala. His outfit, custom-designed by Prabal Gurung, featured a white sherwani adorned with traditional Gurmukhi letters, a map of Punjab, and a sword as an accessory. It was an intentional act of cultural expression.
However, the centerpiece of this look was supposed to be the iconic Patiala Necklace, a historic Cartier creation. Commissioned in 1928 by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, the necklace is one of the most extravagant pieces ever made. Despite efforts from Dosanjh’s stylist Abhilasha Devnani, Cartier refused to lend the necklace for the event. This denial sparked the Diljit Dosanjh Met Gala Patiala Necklace controversy, which has since become a topic of debate on representation, legacy, and selective inclusion.
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The Patiala Necklace: A Forgotten Jewel With Colonial Shadows
The Patiala Necklace is not just jewelry—it is a symbol of wealth, empire, and erasure. Created by French luxury house Cartier in 1928, the necklace originally featured over 2,930 diamonds, including the famous 234-carat De Beers diamond. At the time, it was the largest and most expensive necklace ever crafted, valued at over ₹10 crore—roughly ₹21,000 crore today.
Over the years, the necklace disappeared, likely during India’s tumultuous post-independence years. Cartier later recovered parts of it in an antique store in London. The original De Beers diamond and other central stones were missing. Cartier replaced them with synthetic replicas and showcased the restored piece in exhibitions across the world. Currently, it remains sealed away, allegedly in a museum collection.
Despite this, Emma Chamberlain—a popular YouTuber and influencer—wore what was believed to be a part of the restored necklace at the Met Gala in 2022. This triggered fresh criticism when Diljit Dosanjh, an actual cultural descendant of the necklace’s original legacy, was denied access to it.
Raja Kumari Calls Out Western Gatekeeping and ‘Performative Inclusion’
Rapper and Grammy-nominated songwriter Raja Kumari expressed her anger and frustration over this exclusion in a recent interview with Mid-Day. Known for her outspoken stance on South Asian representation, she didn’t hold back. According to her, the decision reflects a deep-seated problem in the West—tokenism disguised as inclusion.
Kumari pointed out that when a white influencer is granted access to a cultural artifact that rightfully belongs to South Asian history, while an Indian artist is denied it, it becomes a glaring example of “performative inclusion.” She said, “The West still exoticises us, but we’re pushing back saying we’re more than their stereotype.”
The Diljit Dosanjh Met Gala Patiala Necklace controversy is, according to her, part of a much broader issue. It’s not just about one necklace—it’s about decades of cultural gatekeeping, where heritage is celebrated only when it serves the West’s narrative.
Cultural Stereotypes Still Haunt South Asian Creatives in the West
In the same interview, Raja Kumari also spoke about her own experience navigating the music industry in the United States. She shared how, early in her career, she was often reduced to clichés. She was frequently referred to as “India” or “Yogi” by industry peers while writing songs for mainstream American artists. This pigeonholing pushed her into writing lyrics filled with references to curry, mangoes, and other stereotypical elements.
However, times are changing. “We’ve evolved. Now there are more South Asian stories being told — not just by musicians, but also actors, writers, and directors,” she added. The rapper believes artists like Diljit Dosanjh represent a new wave of creators who no longer conform to outdated narratives.
Kumari used the necklace incident to further stress how the creative industry still clings to selective inclusion. When artists try to reclaim their identity and culture on their own terms, they face resistance—even ridicule.
Emma Chamberlain’s Cartier Choker Adds Fuel to the Controversy
The controversy intensified because Emma Chamberlain, an American social media influencer, wore a Cartier choker at the Met Gala in 2022. This piece was reportedly a section of the Patiala Necklace. The fact that she, a white influencer with no ties to the necklace’s cultural history, was allowed to wear it raised serious questions about authenticity and privilege.
While Chamberlain received widespread praise for her look, Diljit Dosanjh—a global South Asian icon attempting to pay homage to a Maharaja—was denied that same opportunity. Many fans and critics called this out as a glaring double standard.
Raja Kumari’s critique wasn’t just emotional—it was pointed and backed by truth. If Cartier could allow the necklace to be worn in 2022, why not in 2025 by someone whose cultural identity is intertwined with its legacy?
The Larger Issue: Who Gets to Tell Our Stories?
The Diljit Dosanjh Met Gala Patiala Necklace controversy is a potent reminder of the ongoing struggles around cultural ownership. While Western fashion brands, museums, and institutions often preserve and display South Asian heritage, they rarely involve South Asians in their storytelling. The denial of the necklace to Diljit Dosanjh, contrasted with its earlier use by a Western influencer, reflects systemic exclusion.
Raja Kumari’s statements underline the frustration many South Asian creators feel. Inclusion is meaningless if it is conditional and performative. Cultural symbols must not be reduced to aesthetic choices for the privileged, especially when their true significance is erased in the process.
A Turning Point for Representation in Global Fashion
The incident involving Diljit Dosanjh and the Patiala Necklace has sparked a necessary conversation on representation, respect, and rights. South Asian creators like Raja Kumari are demanding more than visibility—they are demanding authenticity and equity. The Met Gala, known for its grandeur and global influence, must evolve to include not just diverse faces but also the rich, layered stories behind their cultures.
As artists continue to challenge the system, the hope is that future events like the Met Gala will not just celebrate diversity on the surface but also honor its depth. The Diljit Dosanjh Met Gala Patiala Necklace controversy may just be the spark that drives long-overdue change.
