Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh faces legal action over controversial songs ahead of Hyderabad performance

The Telangana government has issued a legal notice to Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh, warning him not to perform any songs that encourage violence, drugs, or alcohol before his 'Dil-Luminati' show in Hyderabad on Nov 15.

The warning was issued in response to a complaint filed against Dosanjh by Panditrao Dharenavar, a professor from Chandigarh, who sought to prevent him from performing such songs live.

The notice, sent on Nov 7 by the district welfare officer of the Department of Welfare of Women and Children, Disabled and Senior Citizens in Rangareddy district, stated that the complainant had provided video evidence of Dosanjh performing songs that promoted violence, drugs, and alcohol during his Oct 26-27 live show at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

"We are issuing this notice in advance to deter the promotion of such content in your live performance," the notice reads.

The notice also instructs Dosanjh not to bring children onto the stage during his performance.

"According to the World Health Organization, adults should not be exposed to sounds with a peak sound pressure level above 140 decibels. For children, the threshold is 120 decibels. Therefore, children should not be allowed on stage during your live show if the sound pressure exceeds 120 decibels," it states.

"Your concert guidelines indicate that children under 13 are allowed. However, these guidelines also mention that concerts may include loud sounds and flashing lights—both of which can be harmful to children," the notice added.

"The expected crowd is over 20,000 people. Police have been deployed for traffic, crowd control, and security. There are no specific restrictions from our side," said Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty.

Punjabi musicians have frequently faced criticism for using their music to glorify gun violence and promote a gun culture.

Sidhu Moosewala, the late Punjabi artist, was charged in 2020 with promoting gun violence through his song "Sanju."

Moosewala even referenced the case filed against him under the Arms Act in the song.

In 2022, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also warned singers against promoting drugs and violence.

The 'Dil-Luminati' event by Diljit Dosanjh is scheduled for Nov 15 at 7 pm at Hyderabad's GMR Arena on Airport Approach Road.

The musician shared a sneak peek of his city tour on social media after arriving in Hyderabad on Nov 13. In a video posted on X, Diljit is seen visiting the iconic Charminar and riding in an autorickshaw.