Singer and performer Diljit Dosanjh has issued a bold challenge to authorities across India, stating he would stop singing songs about alcohol if liquor shops were banned nationwide. The statement, made during his Ahmedabad concert as part of the Dil-Luminati India Tour, comes amid criticism from some state governments over the promotion of alcohol in his songs.
Diljit Dosanjh’s comments follow directives from the Telangana government ahead of his Hyderabad concert, urging him to avoid promoting alcohol, drugs, and violence through his music. Complying with the request, the singer tweaked the lyrics of his popular tracks like “Lemonade” and “5 Taara,” but he did not hold back on criticizing what he called “double standards” by authorities.
In Ahmedabad, Diljit Dosanjh noted that he refrained from singing songs about alcohol because Gujarat is a dry state. “I did not get any notice today,” he quipped, taking an apparent swipe at the Telangana government. He went further, expressing admiration for Gujarat if it had genuinely imposed prohibition. “If all states declare themselves as dry states, from the next day, Diljit Dosanjh will stop singing songs about alcohol in live concerts,” he declared.
The singer called for a nationwide movement to ban liquor, pointing to the pandemic lockdowns where liquor stores were exempted from closures. “You can’t fool the youth,” he added, questioning the prioritization of liquor sales over other essential services during the crisis. Diljit Dosanjh also offered a unique proposal: declaring a dry day in any city where he performs would ensure he avoids singing about alcohol in that location.
Defending his artistic choices, Diljit Dosanjh noted that while he has performed numerous devotional songs, tracks like “Patiala Peg” receive disproportionate attention. He also criticized Bollywood for its extensive promotion of alcohol through songs and advertisements. “Bollywood has thousands of songs about alcohol. I have only a few. Even I don’t drink alcohol,” he clarified, emphasizing that he avoids endorsing liquor brands.
In Hyderabad, Diljit Dosanjh had expressed frustration over what he perceived as unequal treatment of Indian artists. “If an artist comes from outside, they can sing anything, do anything, there are no worries. But when an Indian artist sings, then you have a problem,” he said, vowing to not let the issue go unnoticed.
The singer’s fiery remarks have sparked conversations around the cultural impact of music, the role of artists, and the responsibilities of authorities in regulating artistic expression.
