Ahead of Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Dil-Luminati’ concert in Hyderabad on Friday, the Telangana government has served him a legal notice, directing him not to sing any songs promoting alcohol, drugs, and violence.

The notice was issued after a complaint was filed by a Chandigarh-based professor, Panditrao Dharenavar, against Dosanjh to prevent him from singing such songs at the live show.

According to the notice, issued on November 7 by the district welfare officer of the Department of Welfare of Women and Children, Disabled and Senior Citizens, Rangareddy district, video evidence was submitted by the complainant showing Dosanjh singing songs promoting alcohol, drugs, and violence during the live show at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 26 and 27.

“We are issuing this notice in advance to deter promoting these in your live show,” the notice said.

In the notice, Dosanjh has also been directed not to bring children on stage during his concert.

“According to the World Health Organisation, adults should not be exposed to sounds with a peak sound pressure level above 140 decibels. For children, the level is reduced to 120 decibels. Therefore, children should not be used on stage during your live show where peak sound pressure is above 120 decibels,” it said.

“Your concert guidelines say that children are allowed below 13 years of age. Concert guidelines also say that concerts may include loud sounds and flashing lights – both of which are harmful to children,” the notice added.

Punjabi singers have often been accused of promoting gun culture and glorifying gun violence through their songs. In 2020, late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala was booked on charges of promoting gun violence and gun culture in his song ‘Sanju’. In the song, he had made references to the case registered against him under the Arms Act. 

‘Patiala Peg’ and ‘5 Taara’ by Diljit Dosanjh are among various songs by different musicians seen as promoting alcohol.

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

Diljit Dosanjh is set to hold the ‘Dil-Luminati’ concert on Friday at 7 pm in GMR Arena, Airport Approach Road in Hyderabad.

“The crowd is expected to be over 20,000 people. Police have been deployed for traffic, crowd control, and crime. There are no specific curbs from our side,” Cyberabad police commissioner Avinash Mohanty said.

The singer landed in the city on Wednesday and shared a glimpse of his city tour on social media. In a video on X, Diljit can be seen taking an auto-rickshaw ride and visiting the famous Charminar.