After Indore, Diljit Dosanjh faces fresh restrictions ahead of Ahmedabad concert

Detailed summary

Ahmedabad’s child protection officer has asked police to restrict songs and stage imagery at Diljit Dosanjh’s November 21 concert. The request cites child safety and concerns over content allegedly promoting alcohol, drugs and gun culture.

After Indore, Diljit Dosanjh’s Ahmedabad concert has also come under scrutiny, with the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) asking the police to ensure that the singer does not perform certain songs at his November 21 show.

The move follows a complaint by Chandigarh-based professor Dr Panditrao Dharenavar, who has repeatedly raised objections to songs allegedly promoting alcohol, drugs and gun culture. In a letter dated November 5, Ahmedabad’s DCPO wrote to the Police Commissioner, requesting that four specific tracks be excluded from the singer’s performance at Narendra Modi Stadium.

The songs mentioned in the complaint are ‘Patiala Pegg’, ‘5 Taara Theeke’, ‘Jeeb Vicho Feem Labbiya’ and ‘Jatt Uthe Fire Karda Jithe Pabandi Hathiyara Di’. Citing the Centre’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the letter argues that songs glorifying alcohol and drug use should not be allowed, even if their lyrics are modified.

It also refers to a July 22, 2019, observation by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which called for restrictions on songs glorifying liquor, drugs and violence, including during live performances, over concerns about their influence on children.

The complaint also raises concerns about child safety at the concert. It requests that children not be invited on stage, citing potential exposure to sound levels exceeding 120 decibels and rapidly flashing stage lights, which could affect their hearing and potentially trigger seizures.

Additionally, the DCPO has urged the police to prevent Dosanjh from wearing two crossed silver bullet belts, commonly known as bandoliers, or dummy metallic cartridges across his chest. The complaint argues that such imagery could promote gun culture and encourage violent behaviour among audiences.

The development comes days after similar restrictions were sought ahead of Dosanjh’s November 15 concert in Indore. There, the District Child Protection Officer issued directions to the management of C21 Mall to ensure that the same four songs were…

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