The outrage over rising vulgarity and violence in Punjabi music industry has prompted the Punjab government to set up a commission to screen all its content. The decision to set up a ‘Punjab Culture Commission’ was announced by the state Cultural Affairs and Tourism Minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday.
While speaking to the press, Mr Sidhu said the commission would tackle the “menace of vulgarity” by working zealously towards its complete eradication.
He further said that the commission would be authorised by the Punjab government and would make recommendations to take stringent action as per the provisions enshrined in the law against those singers or artists “polluting the cultural scene” of the state through vulgar, double meaning or violent inciting songs.
If needed the panel would also be empowered to issue show cause notices to such singers- Navjot Singh Sidhu
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh would be the Patron in Chief of the commission, while Mr Sidhu would be the Patron. The commission which has been entrusted with the responsibility of submitting its initial report to the Chief Minister within two weeks would be chaired by veteran Punjabi writer and Punjab Arts Council Chairman Surjit Patar.
While speaking to, Mr Patar said, the primary mission of the commission would be to focus on improving the Punjabi music scenario.
Further outlining the motives of the panel, he said, “the commission will organise regular seminars to engage with Punjabi artists and singers.” If need be, “we would also reach out to various social media platforms to remove such objectionable content.”
He told BBC Punjabi that renowned actor-politician, Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi would also be a prominent member of the commission.
In the past few years, Punjabi crooners have been drawing flak for producing provocative and misogynist songs and videos that often glorify weapons and drug abuse.
While the move to set up the commission has triggered a debate over the merits of music censorship, it is, however, not clear how the panel would operate outside the jurisdiction of the Punjab government, since a lot Punjabi music is also produced in countries such as Australia, Canada and the US.
