‘India’s nobody’s property’ – Diljit Dosanjh invokes Rahat Indori’s poetry amid calls to cancel Indore concert

Indori’s ghazal had gained popularity recently after it became a rallying cry for those protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and a pan-Indian National Register of Citizens (NRC).

On Sunday, Bajrang Dal had approached the Indore police to not allow the concert to proceed. Avinash Kaushal, a Bajrang Dal leader said: “Diljit has made anti-national remarks several times during the farmers’ protest. He is also a supporter of Khalistan. We will not allow such a person to hold an event in the city of Maa Ahilya. We have submitted an application to the administration demanding the cancellation of the show. If the event still takes place, we will protest in our own way”.

Indore Bajrang Dal leader Tannu Sharma told The Indian Express: “Our protest was against the consumption of drugs. We are not against this concert. It’s not in our culture to consume drugs in these concerts; we are against that. We are also against consumption of alcohol and there were such stalls in this concert”.

Diljit addresses tickets sold in black

Dosanjh did not refer to Bajrang Dal during his concert. But he addressed allegations that his concert tickets were sold in black asking people how he was responsible for it.

“For a long time, people in this country are saying that Diljit’s (concert) tickets are sold in black. It’s not my fault that tickets are being sold in black. How is it an artist’s fault that a Rs 10 ticket is sold for Rs 100?” Dosanjh asked.

Dosanjh then recited another one of Indori’s ghazal: “‘Mere hujre mein nahin aur kahi par rakh do/aasmaan laaye ho le aao zameen par rakh do/ab kahaan dhoondne jaaoge hamaare qaateel aap to qatal ka ilzaam humeen par rakh do (Not in my hut, keep it somewhere else. You have brought heaven, bring it and keep it on the earth. Sir, where will you now go to find out the killer. You should blame us for the murder’. So, to all media people, blame me as much as you can I have no fear of being defamed)'”.

Dosanjh said this was the time for indie music from India and that such troubles were expected.

“It’s the time of independent music. Troubles will come when an evolution comes. We will keep working. All independent artists, double your efforts. It’s time for Indian music. Earlier foreign artists would come (and) their tickets would be sold in lakhs. Now Indian artistes’ tickets are sold in black. This is what’s called ‘vocal for local’,” he said.