INDORE: Child protection authorities in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore have directed the management of C-21 Mall to ensure that Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh does not perform four songs allegedly glorifying alcohol, drugs and firearms during his November 15 concert, following a complaint by a Chandigarh-based professor.
The directive, issued on November 6 by the District Child Protection Officer of the Women and Child Development Department, cites a 2019 Punjab and Haryana High Court order concerning songs that glorify intoxicants and violence.
The four songs identified in the official communication are Patiala Pegg, 5 Taara Theeke, Jeeb Vicho Labbiya and Jatt Uthe Fire Karda Jithe Pabandi Hathiyara Di.
The action followed a complaint submitted on November 1 by Dr Panditrao Dharennavar, who has campaigned against songs promoting alcohol, drug consumption and gun culture.
According to the official letter, the lyrics of the identified songs could adversely affect young children attending the concert and encourage the consumption of intoxicants.
The department noted that children aged five and above would be permitted to attend the event, making it necessary to ensure compliance with the High Court’s directions.
The letter instructed the mall management to ensure that the four songs were not performed during Dosanjh’s live concert on November 15.
The communication referred specifically to the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s July 22, 2019, order in civil writ petition CWP 27011 of 2016.
Dharennavar had sought restrictions on the four songs even if their lyrics were modified, arguing that changing individual words would not address concerns about their underlying themes.
In a protest placard directed at the singer, the professor wrote, “Do not sing Patiala Pegg, 5Taara Theeke and Feem labbiya even with twisted words.”
He also called for the removal of the songs from YouTube, although the Indore authorities’ November 6 directive does not address their online availability.
The professor’s complaint raised two additional concerns involving children attending the concert and the singer’s stage attire.
He urged the authorities to prevent children from being invited onto the stage, citing potential health risks associated with excessive sound levels and flashing lights.
The complaint referred to World Health Organization guidance on noise exposure and warned that rapidly flashing lights could pose risks to susceptible children.
Dharennavar also objected to the possible use of decorative cartridge belts or ammunition-style accessories by Dosanjh during the performance, arguing that such imagery could normalise gun culture among young audiences.
However, the official communication issued on November 6 addresses only the performance of the four identified songs. It does not impose separate restrictions on children’s stage appearances or the singer’s clothing.
Copies of the directive were forwarded to the Indore district collector, the relevant revenue officer, the joint director of the Women and Child Development Department and the Vijay Nagar police station for information and necessary action.
The development comes ahead of Dosanjh’s scheduled November 15 performance in Indore as part of his Aura India Tour.
The directive places responsibility on the venue management to ensure that the identified songs are not performed during the event.
There was no immediate response from Dosanjh or the concert organisers regarding the restrictions. - The Statesman/ANN
