Diljit Dosanjh’s Hyderabad Concert Sparks Controversy
Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh recently faced a unique challenge during his ongoing Dil-Luminati Tour, covering ten cities across India. On November 15, during his Hyderabad concert, he received a notice from the Telangana government. They asked him to avoid singing songs that promote alcohol, drugs, or violence.
Telangana Government’s Notice to Diljit Dosanjh
The Telangana government warned both Diljit and the organizers ahead of his concert. They specifically requested that his songs not include references to alcohol or anything that could be seen as promoting unhealthy behavior. Diljit, known for his calm and professional demeanor, responded with wit.
The ‘Dry State’ Challenge
During a later concert in Ahmedabad, a city in Gujarat (a state where alcohol is banned), Diljit addressed the issue head-on. He humorously said, “Declare all states as dry, and I’ll stop singing songs that mention alcohol.” He noted that his music includes only a handful of songs about alcohol, pointing out that Bollywood has many more. He subtly criticized Bollywood celebrities for endorsing alcohol, stating that he does not advertise or promote it.
Modified Lyrics at the Hyderabad Concert
In response to the notice, Diljit cleverly modified the lyrics of some of his popular songs. At the Hyderabad concert, he changed the words to avoid mentioning alcohol. In his hit song “Lemonade,” he replaced “Tainu teri daaru ch pasand aa Lemonade” with “Tainu teri Coke ch pasand aa Lemonade.” Similarly, he tweaked the lyrics of “5 Taara” by saying “5 taara hotel ch” instead of “5 taara theke utte.”
Diljit’s Call for a ‘Dry Nation’ Movement
Diljit took the opportunity to raise a bigger question during his concert in Ahmedabad. He challenged the audience and state governments to ban alcohol nationwide if they were serious about its harmful effects. He said that if all states went dry, he would stop singing songs that mention alcohol altogether.
He highlighted the double standards, noting that during the COVID-19 lockdown, liquor stores remained open even when other establishments were closed. Diljit urged the authorities to consider the broader picture, stating that banning songs won’t change people’s habits. He also expressed that tweaking lyrics was easy for him and that he wouldn’t be intimidated by such requests.
Conclusion: A Call to Reconsider Alcohol Policies
Diljit Dosanjh’s response to the ban reflects his view that addressing alcohol consumption requires more than censoring songs. He called out the inconsistency in liquor policies, emphasizing that while states benefit from alcohol taxes, they also want to control its cultural impact. His witty and bold stand during the tour has sparked conversations about the real impact of alcohol in society and the role of music in influencing culture. Also read: https://www.siasat.com/video-diljit-dosanjh-reacts-to-notice-after-hyderabad-concert-3133331/
Whether the authorities will accept Diljit’s challenge remains to be seen, but his fans continue to enjoy his concerts, with or without alcohol references in his songs.
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