Singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh strongly spoke against unfair rules about alcohol while performing in Ahmedabad during his Dil-Luminati India Tour. He said he would not sing songs about alcohol in Gujarat, as it is a dry state, and challenged other states to ban liquor everywhere in the country.

Strong reaction to Telangana’s directive

Diljit made these comments after the Telangana government told him not to promote alcohol, drugs, or violence in his songs during his concert in Hyderabad. In Ahmedabad, he mentioned this order with a joke, saying, "There's good news. I did not get any notice today." He then told the audience, "Even today I won't sing any song about alcohol. It's because Gujarat is a dry state."

He asked the audience if liquor is banned in Gujarat and got mixed reactions. Diljit said that he would support the Gujarat government if they really banned alcohol. He then challenged other states, saying, "You close liquor shops across the country; I will stop singing songs on alcohol."

Diljit criticised the authorities for their focus on his songs while keeping liquor stores open, even during the pandemic. "During the pandemic, everything was shut, but the liquor stores were spared. You can't fool the youth," he said.

He ignored the attempts to scare him with notices and said that changing song lyrics is easy. "Tweaking songs is very easy. I am not a new artist, and I will feel helpless when asked not to sing a song. I will tweak the songs, and people will still enjoy it," he said.

Diljit called for a movement to ban liquor entirely, offering his support. "Let's start a movement. If all states declare themselves as dry states, from the next day, Diljit Dosanjh will stop singing songs about alcohol in live concerts. There's another offer. Declare dry day in whichever place I perform; I won't sing songs about alcohol," he said.

Criticism of Bollywood and double standards

Diljit said that Bollywood has produced thousands of songs about alcohol and promotes liquor brands, while he has only a few songs like 'Patiala Peg.' "Even I don't drink alcohol. Bollywood stars advert alcohol; Diljit Dosanjh doesn't," he said.

In Hyderabad, Diljit accused authorities of treating Indian singers unfairly compared to foreign artists. "If an artist comes from outside, they can sing anything or do anything; there are no worries. But when an Indian artist sings, then you have a problem; you have to interfere. But let me tell you, there is God. I won't let this go," he said.