Facing protests and censorship over alleged promotion of alcohol, Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati tour navigates religious sensitivities and free expression in India and creates a clash of ideologies
Diljit Dosanjh’s ongoing Dil-Luminati tour in India has been embroiled in controversies surrounding the sale of liquor and meat at his concerts. These sales have drawn objections from some groups who view them as offensive to religious sentiments.
The latest incident unfolded in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) workers staged protests just hours before Dosanjh’s concert on December 8th. The protesters demanded the removal of liquor counters and non-vegetarian food stalls from the venue, claiming they hurt religious sensibilities. Footage showed them arguing with police officers and demanding action. Despite the outrage, as the protests subsided, the attendees confirmed that the event proceeded smoothly, with ‘No’ alcohol or ‘Meat’ served at the venue. Concert goers confirmed the same stating that the event was adhering to the police’s rules.
This wasn’t the first hurdle Dosanjh’s tour faced: In Hyderabad, the Telangana government issued a notice barring him from performing songs promoting alcohol, drugs, or violence. He countered this by creatively replacing the word “liquor” with “coke” during a performance. Similar concerns arose in Pune, where the Maharashtra excise department revoked permission to serve alcohol at his concert due to local objections. In Ahmedabad, facing restrictions, Dosanjh took a sarcastic approach, sharing a clip with the caption “Let’s start the Dry Nation Movement” and questioning the logic of such limitations.
Diljit Dosanjh’s “Dil-Luminati” tour faced significant opposition in Indore, Madhya Pradesh: The primary contention centered around the sale of alcohol and meat at the concert venue, which was deemed offensive by certain groups, particularly the Bajrang Dal. A day before Diljit Dosanjh’s “Dil-Luminati” concert in Indore, the Bajrang Dal protested the event, citing concerns that alcohol and meat would be served. These protests occurred in the city center. Yash Bachani, a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), strongly opposed the concert, stating that the Bajrang Dal had received information about the serving of alcohol and meat at the event and were investigating the matter. The police intervened to mediate the situation, and ultimately, the concert proceeded without the sale of alcohol and meat with concert-goers confirming that none of the two were served in the concert.
Diljit Responds Back: Dosanjh, during his concert, invoked the words of famous Urdu poet Rahat Indori, reciting one of his ghazals. Indori was a resident of Indore and his poetry often challenged societal norms. The specific ghazal that Diljit Dosanjh referenced during his concert, “Kisi ke baap ka Hindustan Thodi Hai,” is a powerful assertion of Indian identity and sovereignty. It translates to “Hindustan isn’t anyone’s property.” This line, coupled with the rest of the ghazal, is a defiant statement against those who seek to impose their beliefs or ideologies on others. By invoking Indori’s poetry, Diljit not only paid homage to a literary giant but also subtly challenged the protesters and their intentions. He used the poet’s words to express his own defiance and assert his right to perform without undue interference.
Addressing the censorship issue during his concerts, Diljit shared his thoughts: “I am not defending my songs or myself. Main sirf itna chahta hoon ke agar aap censorship lagana chahte ho gaano pe toh woh censorship Bhartiya cinema pe bhi hona chahiye. Right? Bhartiya cinema mein toh jitni badi gun utna bada hero. Kaunsa bada actor hai jisen sharab ka gaana ya scene nahi kiya? Hai koi? Yaad araha hai? Mere ko toh koi yaad nahi araha. Toh agar aapne censorship lagana hai toh please sab pe lagao”
Despite the controversies, Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati Tour continues to captivate audiences across India. Chandigarh hosted Dosanjh on December 14 which shall be followed by the grand finale in Guwahati on December 29th.
All information sourced from various platforms purely for factual reporting purposes only.
Image courtesy: Livenation. Image used only purely for reporting purposes only.
Got a story to share? Looking to get featured? Write to us at hello@beatcurry.com
Related reviews and articles you’d like to see:
Subscribe to BeatCurry’s YouTube Channel here
Check out our Web Stories: Interesting scoops, trivia, stories, industry news delivered at your fingertips.
Watch: Exclusive interview with World’s Fastest Guitarist Davide Lo Surdo
Watch: Exclusive interview with GRAMMY awardee, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
Exclusive Music Review: Mali Delivers An Ode To Each Broken, Hurt Heart Through ‘Ashes’
Exclusive Music Reviews: Mame Khan’s ‘Desert Rose’ Recites The Heartfelt Journey Of Life
Explore: #BeatCurryShorts NOW!
Explore: Check out the BeatCurry Podcast HERE!
If you’d like to know about the unique and versatile forms and flavors of music, follow us on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook, subscribe to BeatCurry.com and never miss another update from us