'Feels good when a boy from an Indian village shines on global stage': PM Modi praises Diljit Dosanjh in a rendezvous

In the course of the conversation, Modi talked about India, yoga and also praised Diljit who has just completed his pan-India music tour.

Diljit was heard telling Modi, "I used to read that India is great but actually realised it during the country tour." Modi replied, "India's greatness itself is a huge power. We have a vibrant society."

When Diljit called yoga "magic of India", the PM said, "People who have practiced yoga are aware of its power."

Praising Diljit, who also sang a song, Modi added, "It feels good when a boy from an Indian village shines on global stage."

Diljit in legal battle

Diljit Dosanjh is in legal trouble over his New Year’s Eve concert in Punjab's Ludhiana, where he performed songs that allegedly promote alcohol.

The performance, which is a part of his ongoing 'Dil-Luminati' tour, has landed him in trouble for including tracks like ‘Patiala Peg’, ‘5 Taara Theke’, and ‘Case (Jeeb Vicho Feem Labbiya)’.

According to critics, these tracks glorify alcohol consumption.

Chandigarh-based assistant professor Punditrao Dharenavar filed the FIR, which led to the Deputy Director of the Women and Child Department issuing an official notice to the District Commissioner of Ludhiana.

The notice requested that Dosanjh be prevented from performing these songs during live concerts.

Punditrao Dharenavar, in his complaint, raised concerns over the potential harm these songs could cause to young audiences, particularly underage children, who were present at the concert.

He cited a 2019 order by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which banned songs promoting alcohol, drugs, or violence at public events, including live concerts, due to their detrimental effects on impressionable youth.

"The performance of such songs sends the wrong message, especially when children are in the audience," Punditrao Dharenavar said.

He also slammed Dosanjh for wearing a ‘pagadi’ (turban) during the concert while performing these controversial songs, arguing that the revered symbol should not be associated with promoting harmful values.

In response to previous concerns raised by the Telangana government ahead of his concert in Hyderabad, Dosanjh had altered the lyrics of some of his songs.

However, despite these advisories, the singer performed these tracks, with minor lyric modifications, which led to further legal scrutiny.