Diljit Dosanjh’s Ahmedabad concert faces scrutiny over songs promoting alcohol and weapons

Ahead of Diljit Dosanjh's November 21 Ahmedabad concert, the District Child Protection Unit has urged police to restrict songs promoting alcohol, drugs and weapons. It has also raised concerns over bullet belts, children on stage and loud sound levels

Ahmedabad: Ahead of singer Diljit Dosanjh’s November 21 concert in Ahmedabad, the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) has urged the city police to prevent him from performing songs that allegedly promote alcohol, drugs and weapons.

The move by the DCPU comes days after authorities in Madhya Pradesh prohibited Dosanjh from performing four songs at his November 15 concert in Indore over similar concerns.

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“Request to take appropriate action regarding refraining from performing songs promoting alcohol/intoxicants/weapons, not inviting children onto the stage, and not wearing cartridge/bullet belts during singer Diljit Dosanjh’s live concert ‘RuPay Aura India Tour’,” the DCPU stated in its November 6 letter to Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut.

Ahmedabad District Child Protection Officer Tanvika Parmar confirmed the letter, which referred to a representation by Dr Panditrao Dharennavar of Chandigarh raising concerns about the concert scheduled to be held at Narendra Modi Stadium.

“Songs such as ‘Patiala Pegg’, ‘5 Taara Theeke’, ‘Jeeb Vicho Feem Labbiya’, and ‘Jatt Uthe Fire Karda Jithe Pabandi Hathiyara Di’ glorify alcohol consumption, narcotic substances (opium/drugs), and weapons/violence. Performing such songs, even with altered or twisted lyrics, exerts an adverse impact on the minds of children and youth,” the letter said.

The child protection body also flagged concerns over stage performances involving loud sound, reportedly exceeding 120 decibels, and rapidly changing lighting effects, including flashing and beam lights.

It stated that such effects could pose health risks to young children and urged that children should not be invited onto the stage.

Another concern raised in the letter was the use of cartridge or bullet belts (bandoliers) as part of stage costumes. The DCPU said such accessories could promote gun culture and glorify violence, particularly among children.

The letter also cited a July 22, 2019, judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which dealt with the adverse impact of songs promoting intoxication and violence on children.

Parmar requested the police commissioner to take appropriate measures to address these concerns.

Police would take an appropriate decision on the matter, keeping the larger public interest in mind, an official said.