Prof sends notice to channels for playing ‘vulgar’ songs

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 18

Prof Pandit Rao Dharennavar, who has been campaigning for the cause of Punjabi language, has now sent a legal notice to music channels for playing Punjabi songs which promote violence, liquor, vulgarity and glorify weapons.

Prof Dharennavar said the songs which are disrespectful to women are a violation of the Constitutional Article 51 a (e) (to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women) and Article 47 (...the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health). “Such songs also violate various sections of the IPC and cyber crime laws,” he said.

The songs being played repeatedly on TV channels also violate the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994. Several rules are being violated by the channels, he says. Playing such songs on public platforms was a violation of the broadcasting Acts, he said.

Dharennavar works in Chandigarh and hails from Karnataka. “People who listen to such songs would identify Punjabi as the language of vulgarity and violence. This would be the greatest disservice to the language,” he said.

He demanded a narco test for singers singing such songs.

In fact, a high-level inquiry must be instituted into why weapons and liquor are being promoted so much in Punjabi music, he said.

“There could be a handful of external agencies trying to lure the youth in the trap of liquor, weapons and vulgarity,” he added.