Haryana folk singers vs the CM Saini’s OSD: Lyrics hit a rough pitch

Masoom Sharma, six of whose songs have been banned – the most among all the singers – has questioned the criteria used. A few days back, Sharma was stopped from singing one of the banned songs during a public performance in Gurgaon.

Speaking to the local media, the singer, with more than 18 lakh followers on social media, said: “There should be uniformity. First, the song by him (Phogat) Tadke pavegi laas nahar mein should be deleted.” Sharma now remains unavailable for comment.

Besides Sharma, the songs of Ankit Baliyan and Narender Bhagana have been banned, adding up to 10 songs in all.

Questioning the logic, singer Gulzaar Chhaniwala recently tweeted that banning old songs served no purpose. “… change can be brought (only) in the future”.

The matter has also been taken up by the Opposition, as well as divided BJP ranks. Speaking in the Assembly last week, Congress MLA Kuldeep Vats pointed out that many see the action against the singers as “unjust”.

Haryana Social Justice Minister Krishan Bedi said: “We should take a sympathetic view if someone has made a mistake in the past and is now ready to delete the songs, and assures he or she will not sing such lyrics in the future. These singers have done a lot for the pride of Haryana. Just four-five years ago, only Punjabi songs were played during wedding functions in the state.”

Tourism Minister Arvind Sharma said the government was appreciative of the contribution of the singers. “I have spoken to the Chief Minister… The Haryana government will not let down any artiste.”

Saini, who stands by the crackdown, has promised a law if needed against such songs. “Giving a positive direction to society is everyone’s responsibility… Good songs do that, the same as people take inspiration from films.”

The crackdown against songs for “promoting gun culture and violence” began in January, soon after the CM held a law-and-order review meeting in Karnal.

A senior officer of the Haryana Police said the ban, though, was in the works from even earlier, ever since a Punjab and Haryana High Court order in 2019 banning celebratory firing and performance of songs glorifying liquor, drugs and violence. Directing police chiefs to ensure compliance, the High Court had said that “glorification of violence has given rise to a culture of gangsters in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory Chandigarh”.

A petitioner had approached the High Court saying this order was not being implemented, with songs glorifying drugs and violence available on the Internet and freely performed at shows.

While the police officer, who refused to be identified, denied any “bias” by them in taking action against the songs, saying it was up to the discretion of the cyber wing, Sharma claims his songs have been banned for reasons ranging from creating noise pollution to disturbing communal harmony between castes and religions. Sources said Sharma recently met Saini to plead his case.

At a recent Facebook Live session, he said: “It is true that gun culture is not good for society, but only one artiste should not be targeted. Songs full of vulgarity and double meanings should also be banned… and across the country, including Punjab… If songs of only Haryanvi singers are banned, then the youth will listen to Punjabi songs, like they used to, including songs such as ‘Chak lo revolver (Lift a revolver)’… Not only this, South Indians movies are full of violent scenes.”

Sharma added that singers such as him could sing even bhajans to earn their livelihood. “But what happens to those artists who are rendered unemployed because of the ban? Nearly 100 people are employed in the shooting of just one song… Will the government give them employment?”

Phogat (48), who became the CM’s OSD (Special Publicity) in 2021 – promoting government welfare schemes and policies – said Sharma’s allegations against him of targeted attacks were false. He is believed to have got the job due to his proximity to then CM Manohar Lal Khattar, and continued under Saini.

Phogat, who calls popular Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan his “guru”, told The Indian Express: “The songs which promote gun culture leave a very bad impact on children, some as young as just eight, with killers projected as heroes.” Singers should instead sing about people such as Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Dayanand Saraswati, he added. “It will have a positive impact on children and youth.”

Is that really the case, asks singer Amanraj Gill. “Does a person listen to songs before committing a crime? Why don’t people turn bhakts then, after listening to bhajans?”