It doesn’t matter whether you are a Punjabi or not, it doesn’t matter whether you are an Indian or not, you must be familiar with the name Diljit Dosanjh which has become a musical icon all around the world. He rose from humble beginnings, started his career with regional music and cinema, made his way to Bollywood and today is ruling the hearts and minds of millions globally with his Punjabi and Hindi music. Diljit Dosanjh every year tries to organize a musical tour, and this year was no different. However, this year his Dil-Luminati tour made and broke several records. From sold-out shows to overwhelmed fans, from packed arenas to surprise performances, every concert had a tale to tell. However, amid all this success and milestones, Diljit Dosanjh also faced massive flak, and protest and has been served with several legal notices as well. So let’s have a look at the other side of the Dil-Luminati India tour:
Diljit Dosanjh Dil-Luminati India Tour – Legal notice over alleged ticket manipulation
India’s happiness was on another level when Diljit Dosanjh announced he would be performing in his homeland. He kick-started the tour with Delhi in October, and as soon as the tickets were made live, they were sold out instantly. Many believed it was simply because of the raging popularity of the artist, while several others had suspicion of foul play. Thus, Riddhima Kapoor, a fan and a Delhi-based law student served a legal notice to Diljit over the alleged manipulation of ticket sales.
According to the Free Press Journal report, the subject of her legal notice was – “Manipulation for ticket prices, unfair trade practices, and scalping of tickets for Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati India Tour”.
She mentioned that the ticket sale was supposed to go live on September 12 at 1 pm, but the window was opened a minute earlier leading to an instant sale. “The sudden unavailability of tickets strongly suggests manipulation and scalping practices. This abrupt transaction indicates that your organization may be artificially inflating demand and manipulating prices,” she claimed, citing violations of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Riddhima also sent a notice to the organizers and related banks, as she got a special card made only for the ticket purchase but reportedly it didn’t do her any good.
Although Diljit’s energy and music were highly lauded at the Delhi concert, after the show many complained about the poor management of the musical event, the traffic chaos, and all things that went wrong.
Telangana govt’s legal notice to Diljit Dosanjh ahead of Hyderabad concert
As a part of his Dil-Luminati India Tour, Diljit Dosanjh had a concert in Hyderabad. Ahead of the same, the artist was served with a legal notice from the Telangana government refraining Diljit from performing any songs that promote alcohol, drugs, or violence. The notice further warned both the organizers and the singer to not feature children on stage during the live performance.
“As cited by representer with video evidence that you have sung songs promoting alcohol, drugs and violence promoting songs (CASE, Patiala Peg,) during live show in Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on 26th and 27th of October. Therefore we are issuing this notice in advance to deter promoting Alcohol/Drugs/Violence through your live show,” read the notice.
Since children below 13 years of age were also allowed to attend the concert, the government showed its concern citing the ill effects of loud music and flashing lights on the kids. Thus, it directed the organizers not be expose children to sound pressure exceeding the limit of 120 db set by the World Health Organisation.
Following the notice, Diljit tweaked the lyrics of the songs and won hearts all over again. He was not so happy with the notice received and took a jibe at the government during his live performances.
Maharashtra protest leading to Diljit Dosanjh’s dry Pune show
Diljit Dosanjh’s most recent performance was in Pune, Maharashtra. Following the notice of the Telangana government, the artist faced issues in Maharashtra as well with the NCP party and BJP leader Chandrakant Patil, along with some local residents and organizations protesting against the concert. They cited that free liquor sales at the concert would only lead to chaos. Further, the traffic jam was another point that was raised by the protestors. Following the same, the state canceled the liquor serving permit at Diljit Dosanjh’s Pune concert.
“We had received an application from the owner of the venue, and he had raised an objection, seeking that serving liquor should not be allowed at the concert. Therefore, acting on the application, we have denied permission to serve liquor at the concert, and the organisers of the concert have also been informed about it,” said Excise Department SP CB Rajput, while speaking to ANI.
Further, in a press note, NCP Pune President Deepak Mankar shared – “We oppose Diljit Dosanjh’s program being held at Kakade Farm today, November 24. Due to this program, the citizens of Kothrud will face problems like the open sale of liquor, loud noise, and traffic jams. We demanded that the organisers cancel this program immediately. We are always against those who spoil the culture of Kothrud. If the concert is not cancelled, an agitation will be launched on behalf of the Nationalist Congress Party against the event organisers.”
Senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil expressing his concern also shared, “I am opposed to Diljit Dosanjh’s music concert to be held at Kakade Farm in Kothrud, Pune, as a local MLA and as a citizen. I am not only opposed to the sale of liquor, but also the traffic jams and loud noise caused by this event. I have given instructions to the Police Commissioner, Excise Department, and District Collector to cancel this event.”
“Such an event is a pest in society. If this event happens in Kothrud, a big march will be taken out on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and I will lead this march myself,” he added.
Dil-Luminati – the road ahead
Meanwhile, Diljit Dosanjh continues his Dil-Luminati Tour. His next stop is Kolkata, where he will perform on November 30, and then he will go to Bengaluru for his concert schedule on December 6. Other cities that he will cover include Mumbai, Indore, Chandigarh, and Guwahati.
