Notice to Diljit Dosanjh: Don't sing songs on Alcohol, Drugs

Ahead of Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh's 'Dil-Luminati' concert in Hyderabad on Friday, the Telangana government has served him a legal notice, directing him not to sing any songs promoting alcohol, drugs, and violence.

The notice was issued after a Chandigarh-based professor Panditrao Dharenavar filed a complaint against Dosanjh to prevent him from singing such songs at the live show.

According to the notice, issued on November 7 by the district welfare officer of the Department of Welfare of Women and Children, Disabled and Senior Citizens, Rangareddy district, video evidence was submitted by the complainant showing Dosanjh singing songs promoting alcohol, drugs, and violence during the live show at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Jaipur. He has also performed such songs at international shows.

In the notice, Dosanjh has also been directed not to bring children on stage during his concert. The notice prohibited the use of children on stage, aligning with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on sound exposure. According to WHO, children under 13 should not be exposed to sound level above 120 db.

Concert organisers and Dosanjh were, thus, formally reminded to comply with these directives to ensure a safe and regulation-compliant event. 

Punjabi singers have often been accused of promoting gun culture and glorifying gun violence through their songs. In 2020, late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala was booked on charges of promoting gun violence and gun culture in his song 'Sanju'. In the song, he had made references to the case registered against him under the Arms Act. 

'Patiala Peg' and '5 Taara' by Diljit Dosanjh are among various songs by different musicians seen as promoting alcohol. Later in 2022, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had also warned singers against promoting violence and drugs.

Fans of the Punjabi actor-singer have been anticipating the Hyderabad concert, which is almost sold out. Hyderabad is his third venue in the Dil-Luminati tour. Dil-Luminati tour of 11 cities began on October 26, in New Delhi.