HC issues notice on plea over non-compliance with ban on songs glorifying drugs, violence  

More than five years after Directors-General of Police in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh were directed to ensure songs glorifying liquor, wine, drugs and violence were not played even in live shows, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a notice of motion on a contempt petition alleging failure to comply with court directions.

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The notice was issued for February 7 by Justice Harkesh Manuja to authorities in Punjab on the petition filed by Panditrao Dharenavar.

The petitioner alleged that the high court in its judgment dated July 22, 2019, had directed the authorities to curb the glorification of drugs, violence and alcohol in songs, but the directives remain largely unimplemented.

He added that the judgment had ordered the Directors-General to ensure such content was prohibited after observing that such songs negatively impacted children of impressionable age.

The judgment also mandated that Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police ensure compliance with the directives.

Dharenavar contended that officials, including Punjab’s Principal Secretary (Home), the DGP, and local administrators, had failed to act against the promotion of such content. He highlighted that many songs glorifying drugs and violence continued to be uploaded on platforms like YouTube, and some singers even performed such songs during live events.

The petition also drew attention to non-compliance with the court's directions on noise pollution, specifically pointing out that live events frequently exceeded the permissible sound levels of 75 decibels. The petitioner said the Punjab Pollution Control Board had failed to enforce these regulations effectively.

Dharenavar stated that the directives were universal in nature and aimed at fostering a positive societal impact, but their non-compliance undermined the dignity and authority of the judiciary.