Chandigarh Commission Warns Diljit Dosanjh: Don’t Invite Kids on Stage & Drop 'Patiala Peg', ‘Theke’ songs

Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued an advisory to singer Diljit Dosanjh before his concert scheduled on December 14 in Chandigarh. It is asking him to not perform some songs that have the effect of promoting alcohol, drugs, and violence. In particular, the Commission has asked Dosanjh not to sing *Patiala Peg*, *5 Tara*, and *Case*, as these tracks have themes that may influence young minds adversely. The Commission voiced its concern about how such songs could affect children and, therefore, their behavior, given that most young fans attend his concerts.

Apart from the advisory on the music, the Commission also advised against inviting children on stage during the live performance, since the sound levels at concerts are often over 120db, a range that is harmful to young ears. In further efforts to streamline the arrangements of the concerts, the Commission recommended that alcohol must not be allowed at the venues attended by persons under 25 years old as demanded by legal compulsions. Chairperson Shipra Bansal said similar apprehensions were voiced at Dosanjh's earlier concerts and at other events as well with artists such as Karan Aujla.

The advisory came hours after the concert of Dosanjh on which he responded to criticism regarding the alcoholic lyrics of his songs. He announced at a concert in Ahmedabad that he will not sing any songs involving alcohol in Gujarat as it was a dry state and dared the government to ban liquor if it wanted him to stop singing about it. He pointed out the inconsistency in liquor stores being open and everything else shut during the pandemic. Though he has remained adamant that changing his words does not affect his fans's pleasure, Dosanjh has urged a campaign for all Indian states to become dry and promised to stop singing in praise of the bottle if such happens.