Diljit Dosanjh’s highly anticipated New Year’s Eve concert in Ludhiana was overshadowed by a legal dispute, following a formal complaint from Panditrao Dharenavar, an assistant professor at a Chandigarh college. The complaint, lodged ahead of the performance, has prompted the deputy director of the Women and Child Department in Punjab to issue a notice urging local authorities to prevent the singer from performing certain songs due to their references to alcohol.
The notice specifically targets popular tracks such as ‘Patiala Pegg,’ ‘5 Tara Theke,’ and ‘Case (Jeeb Vicho Feem Labbiya),’ citing concerns over their potential influence on young and underage listeners. Even if the songs were altered, the authorities have called for their complete ban, fearing the promotion of alcohol consumption during public events. This is not the first time Dosanjh has faced such scrutiny. Multiple advisories have been issued to the singer, requesting that he refrain from performing alcohol-themed songs at public events.
The complaint is backed by a 2019 ruling from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which ordered authorities to prevent songs that promote alcohol, drugs, or violence from being played at public gatherings, in an effort to safeguard young audiences. Dharenavar has threatened to escalate the matter to the High Court if no action is taken.
In addition to the legal concerns, Dharenavar voiced his disapproval of Dosanjh’s decision to perform these songs while wearing a turban, a symbol of Sikh culture, arguing that it sends an inappropriate message to the public.
The Ludhiana concert marked the grand finale of Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati India Tour, which had been a resounding success with sold-out shows across the country. Despite being added as a last-minute stop, tickets for the New Year’s Eve event sold out quickly following the announcement on 23 December.
This legal controversy is just the latest in a series of challenges Dosanjh has faced on his tour. Similar complaints regarding his song choices were filed in cities like Hyderabad and Indore, where his performances sparked debate about the role of music in influencing public behaviour.
As Dosanjh continues to enjoy immense popularity, his legal battles over song lyrics raise significant questions about the intersection of culture, entertainment, and the responsibility of artists in today’s society.