Hyderabad, November 15, 2024 — Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh is facing a legal challenge just days before his highly anticipated Dil-Luminati concert in Hyderabad. The Telangana government has issued the popular artist a legal notice, urging him to refrain from performing songs that promote alcohol, drugs, and violence at his upcoming show, set for Friday, November 17, 2024. The notice, issued on November 7, follows a complaint filed by a Chandigarh-based professor, Panditrao Dharenavar, who expressed concerns over the content of Dosanjh’s live performances.
The legal notice, served by the District Welfare Officer of Rangareddy District, specifically calls out songs that allegedly promote substances like alcohol and drugs and glorify violence. The complaint references a previous performance by Diljit Dosanjh at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 26-27, where video evidence was submitted showing the singer performing tracks that some have criticized for their controversial themes. The notice warns that such content must be avoided during the Hyderabad concert.
“We are issuing this notice in advance to deter the promotion of harmful substances and violence during your live show,” the notice reads. It also includes an instruction regarding child safety at the event, advising Dosanjh not to bring children on stage due to concerns about high sound pressure levels, which can be harmful to young ears.
Concerns Over Safety and Child Exposure
The Telangana government has cited World Health Organization guidelines on sound exposure, which indicate that adults should not be exposed to noise levels above 140 decibels, and children should not be exposed to levels over 120 decibels. With concerts often featuring loud music and flashing lights, authorities have raised alarms over the potential health risks to minors in the audience, particularly if they are on stage.
In the notice, officials also highlighted Dosanjh’s concert guidelines, which allow children under 13 to attend, despite the risks posed by the event’s sound levels. The notice has sparked a debate about the ethics of featuring children in performances, especially in high-decibel environments.
Diljit Dosanjh’s Musical Impact and Controversies
This isn’t the first time Diljit Dosanjh has faced controversy surrounding the themes in his music. Several songs by the Punjabi star, such as Patiala Peg and 5 Taara, have been criticized for promoting alcohol consumption, a topic that has long been a point of contention in the Punjabi music industry. Additionally, Punjabi music in general has been accused of glorifying gun culture and violence.
The issue of violence in music reached national headlines in 2020 when the late Sidhu Moosewala was booked for promoting gun culture in his song Sanju. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also warned artists against glorifying drugs and violence in their music, citing concerns about the negative impact on youth.
Despite these ongoing debates, Diljit Dosanjh remains one of the most popular and influential figures in Punjabi music, known for his eclectic style and genre-blending tracks. His fan base spans across India and abroad, making his concerts highly anticipated events. However, with the legal notice in place, his upcoming Hyderabad show could be affected by increased scrutiny.
Hyderabad Concert to Go Ahead Amid Legal Tensions
In a statement to the press, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty confirmed that all necessary security measures would be in place for the concert, which is expected to attract over 20,000 attendees. The police have been deployed for crowd control, traffic management, and overall safety. “There are no specific restrictions from our side,” Mohanty added, assuring that the event would proceed as planned.
Dosanjh, who arrived in Hyderabad on Wednesday, has been sharing glimpses of his city tour on social media, including a video of him riding an auto-rickshaw and visiting the iconic Charminar. The singer has been documenting his experience in Hyderabad, building excitement among fans for the concert.
With the concert just days away, all eyes are now on Diljit Dosanjh and how he will respond to the legal notice. Whether he adjusts his setlist to comply with the government’s concerns or chooses to proceed as planned remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the legal threat has added an unexpected layer of controversy to what was meant to be a celebratory event for both the artist and his fans.
As the clock ticks down to the Dil-Luminati concert, fans and industry watchers alike will be keenly observing the outcome of this legal battle, which could have wider implications for the live music industry and its regulatory landscape in India.
