Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh recently found himself at the center of a debate over India's liquor policies when a Hyderabad district-level official barred him from singing any songs referencing alcohol at his November 15 concert. Known for his more restrained image compared to other Punjabi pop stars, Dosanjh was incensed by the directive, pointing out the irony of such restrictions in a state like Telangana, where alcohol consumption is culturally ingrained and a major revenue source. In response, Dosanjh chose to use the stage at his Ahmedabad concert to expose what he described as the double standards in India's approach to alcohol regulation.
Dosanjh’s outburst in Ahmedabad, part of his "Dil-Luminati" tour, highlighted the contradictions in state policies. While most Indian states enforce measures to discourage alcohol consumption due to its health risks, alcohol taxation remains a significant source of revenue for funding various welfare programs. Gujarat, where Dosanjh gave his speech, is officially a "dry state," yet it permits the sale of alcohol in specific contexts like 5-star hotels and airports. In contrast, Telangana, where Dosanjh was issued the gag order, sees some of the highest per capita alcohol expenditure in the country, and recently, the state earned over ₹2,600 crore just from application fees for liquor shops.
Dosanjh’s response was direct and pointed. He publicly challenged state governments by declaring that he would stop singing any songs mentioning alcohol if all states declared themselves dry. This challenge struck a chord with many, as it underscored the tension between official bans and the financial reliance on alcohol sales. Highlighting this hypocrisy, he noted that even during the strict COVID-19 lockdowns, liquor stores were among the few establishments allowed to operate, emphasizing their importance to state revenues.
At his Ahmedabad concert, held at GIFT City — a corporate hub in Gujarat where alcohol is allowed — Dosanjh modified lyrics in his songs to mock the Telangana administration's restrictions. In the song "Lemonade," he swapped out a reference to alcohol for "Coke," and in "Panj Taara," he substituted "thekee" (liquor shop) with "hotel." Despite the changes, he maintained that his music does not promote alcohol but simply includes cultural references, a stance backed by the historical presence of alcohol mentions in Punjabi folk music.
Dosanjh's challenge was not just rhetorical; he questioned whether any Indian state could realistically go dry given the economic implications. He also suggested that if the government is serious about curbing alcohol consumption, then cities like Amritsar — home to the Golden Temple — should be designated dry zones. This proposal tapped into deeper cultural and religious sentiments, particularly within the Sikh community.
The debate sparked by Dosanjh comes amid broader questions about the efficacy of liquor bans. Historically, such prohibitions have not eliminated alcohol consumption but have driven it underground, often leading to tragic incidents involving toxic, unregulated alcohol. States like Bihar serve as cautionary examples, where liquor bans have not only failed to curb drinking but have led to a rise in illegal alcohol production and related fatalities. Dosanjh’s Ahmedabad speech went viral, with his call for a "Dry Nation Movement" resonating among those critical of selective enforcement and the underlying contradictions in India's alcohol policy.
While some states have attempted to control alcohol sales by monopolizing distribution through government-run outlets, the core issue remains unresolved: alcohol remains widely available despite bans, and the revenue it generates continues to be indispensable for state economies. Dosanjh's defiance, particularly in replacing lyrics and making a spectacle of the restrictions, highlights the broader tension between cultural expression and regulatory oversight, putting the spotlight on whether symbolic measures like censoring songs can ever be effective in tackling deeper societal issues related to alcohol consumption.
