Switch on the TV, tune into the radio, or just Google — the relationship of Punjabi pop music with guns, liquor, drugs, and lately gangsterism, is everywhere. The police in Punjab are seeking to pull the plug now, by talking to singers.
As part of a plan by the force’s state chief, director general of police Suresh Arora, senior superintendents of police (SSPs) have been told to hold meetings and urge singers not to fan this culture.
One such meeting was held on February 9 by the Batala SSP, Opinderjit Singh Ghuman, with singer Ranjit Bawa.
Bawa appeared encouraged, if one goes by his Facebook post the next day. Sharing a photo with the SSP at the latter’s office, he praised the action against “sangeetak (musical) pollution”; and further wrote: “Bahut changa uprala hon jaa rehae; aas karda haan ki Punjabi sangeet aun wale samey vich kafi changa hovega (Very good initiative being carried out;
I hope Punjabi music in future will be much better),” adding, “I hope that songs without guns and liquor are sung; and the audience too listens to good music and that lyricists too write good lyrics.”
