Diljit Dosanjh Is In Trouble, Faces Legal Action Over Alleged Pro-Alcohol Songs After Concert In Ludhiana

January 1, 2024: Diljit Dosanjh’s highly anticipated New Year’s Eve concert in Ludhiana took a controversial turn after legal action was initiated against the singer over his performance of certain songs. The complaint was filed by Panditrao Dharenavar, an assistant professor from Chandigarh, who raised concerns about songs that promote alcohol and substances, especially given the presence of young and underage audiences at public events.

The complaint led to an official notice from the Deputy Director of the Women and Child Department, Government of Punjab, who urged Ludhiana’s District Commissioner to prevent Diljit from performing specific songs during his live show. These songs included popular tracks like ‘Patiala Pegg’, ‘5 Tara Theke’, and ‘Case (Jeeb Vicho Feem Labbiya)’, which have been accused of glorifying alcohol consumption. The notice emphasized that even if these songs were modified with altered lyrics, they should not be allowed to be performed at the concert.

This legal action references prior warnings issued to Diljit by various commissions that had previously advised against performing songs with such themes. Despite these warnings, the singer continued to perform these tracks with slight alterations in their lyrics, which has led to ongoing controversy. Panditrao Dharenavar expressed concerns about the impact these songs have on young listeners, particularly underage children who often attend Dosanjh’s concerts.

Adding to the complexity, Dharenavar cited a 2019 ruling from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which directed authorities to prevent the promotion of alcohol, drugs, and violence in public performances. The court had ruled that such songs could negatively influence young minds, and that measures should be taken to ensure they aren’t featured in public events.

The legal challenge also highlighted another point of contention—Diljit’s wearing of a pagadi (a traditional Sikh headgear) while performing songs associated with alcohol. Dharenavar criticized this, suggesting that such a combination sends a wrong message and is inappropriate for someone in a position of influence, especially when it comes to young audiences.

Despite the controversy, Diljit’s Dil-Luminati India Tour has been a huge success. The Ludhiana show, which was added as a last-minute stop, quickly sold out after being announced just days before the concert. It marked the grand finale of a three-month nationwide tour, which had already made stops in several major cities, including Hyderabad and Indore, where Diljit had also faced legal challenges for similar reasons.

In fact, during his Hyderabad concert in November, he received a legal notice from the Telangana government over the alleged promotion of alcohol and violence in his songs. Similarly, during his Indore performance, Diljit was embroiled in controversy related to black market ticket sales, where he defended himself against accusations of reselling tickets at inflated prices.

This isn’t the first time Diljit’s lyrics have been under scrutiny. Earlier in 2024, he made headlines when he promised to stop singing songs about alcohol if the Indian government enacted a nationwide ban on liquor. He even said, “If all the states declare themselves as dry states, I promise I won’t sing about alcohol ever again.” This statement showed his awareness of the controversy surrounding his music, though it didn’t seem to curb the popularity of his alcohol-themed tracks.

While the legal battles continue to follow him, Diljit Dosanjh’s career remains strong, and his Dil-Luminati tour has been a commercial success. His concerts sell out in minutes, and he continues to maintain a massive fanbase across the globe. As the New Year began, however, the controversy over his lyrics remained a topic of conversation, illustrating the ongoing tension between artistic expression and social responsibility.

It remains to be seen whether this legal challenge will impact Diljit’s future performances or his approach to writing songs that involve alcohol and substance-related themes. However, it is clear that the debate around his lyrics is far from over, with ongoing discussions about the influence of popular music on youth and society at large.