Four songs by Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh have been barred from being performed at his November 15 concert in Indore over concerns that their references to alcohol, drugs and violence could adversely affect children, officials said on Saturday.
The songs listed in the directive are ‘Patiala Peg’, ‘5 Taara’, ‘Jeeb Vicho Afeem’ (also known as ‘Case’) and ‘Jatt Uthe Fire Karda’.
The District Child Protection Officer issued the directions to the manager of C-21 Mall, the concert venue, following a complaint by Chandigarh-based professor Panditrao Dharenavar.
The notice, dated November 6, said children above the age of five would be allowed to attend the concert and cited a July 2019 Punjab and Haryana High Court order directing authorities to prevent songs glorifying liquor, drugs and violence from being played, including at live shows.
In his complaint, Dharenavar urged officials to ensure the songs were not performed even with altered lyrics. He also requested that children not be invited on stage, citing high sound levels and rapidly flashing lights, and that Dosanjh avoid wearing crossed silver bullet belts or dummy cartridges.
Officials clarified that the directions are limited to the four songs and do not amount to a ban on the concert.
The notice follows similar advisories during Dosanjh’s earlier concerts in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Mumbai.
The Indore event has also drawn bomb-threat emails received by three private schools and the office of Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava.
The story comes days after a security-related permission dispute over Dosanjh’s Delhi concert, which was eventually held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 30.
