Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati concert in Indore encountered protests from Bajrang Dal just a day prior to the event due to concerns over the serving of alcohol and meat. The protests unfolded in the city’s center, with Bajrang Dal expressing worry about the potential cultural impact of these offerings at the concert. In response to the protests, Dosanjh quoted verses from the renowned poet Rahat Indori during his concert, asserting, “Kisi Ke Baap Ka Hindustaan Thodi Hai.”
Yash Bachani, a representative of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), strongly opposed the concert, stating they were informed about the event’s provisions for open liquor and meat. He added, “We oppose the open liquor and serving of meat to protect the culture in the city, and Bajrang Dal may take to the streets to protest against the concert.” Local BJP MLAs Usha Thakur and Golu Shukla supported the protests.
While Dosanjh did not directly address the Bajrang Dal’s opposition, he did include lines from Rahat Indori’s poem during his performance: “Agar Khilaf Hai Hone Do Jaan Thodi Hai, Yeh Sab Dhuaan Hai Koi Aasmaan Thodi Hai, Sab Ka Khoon Hai Shaamil Yahan Ki Mitti Mein, Kisi Ke Baap Ka Hindustaan Thodi Hai.”
As the protests diminished, concert attendees confirmed that the event went ahead without any alcohol or meat served. One attendee remarked, “There was no non-veg, no alcohol at Diljit’s Indore concert,” highlighting compliance with police regulations.
Indore was not the only location where Diljit faced controversy regarding his concerts. Previously, the state excise department in Pune canceled the permit for alcohol service at his concert in Kothrud following community complaints and political pushback led by the NCP youth wing and BJP leader Chandrakant Patil.
Moreover, during a concert in Hyderabad, the Telangana government restricted Diljit from performing certain songs referencing alcohol. He creatively circumvented this by replacing such references with alternatives like Coca-Cola.
Discussing censorship during his concerts, Diljit stated, “I just want that if you want to censor songs, then the censorship should be applied to Indian cinema too. In Indian films, the bigger the gun, the bigger the hero. Which prominent actor hasn’t portrayed a song about alcohol or a similar scene? I can’t recall any. So if you want to enforce censorship, then apply it universally.”
Despite facing controversies, Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati Tour continues to draw audiences across India, with a concert scheduled in Chandigarh on December 14 and a grand finale planned in Guwahati on December 29.
