The Punjab Government is all set to say “no-no” to vulgarity in songs.
It may not sound music to the ears of Punjabi crooners, who are singing in praise of vulgarity, in the absence of any check to the menace but the Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday decided to “fight it as a movement”.
Maintaining that “ban” is not the way out in the presence of virtual world, Sidhu exhorted to fight this battle as a movement.
“It is not that somebody says it should be banned. Because, somebody will put (songs with "vulgar" lyrics) on the internet. We will actually fight this battle as a movement. look, it is not necessary to frame a law. When a movement is created, it will have a certain impact,” he said during a meeting with Punjab’s noted singers, writers and artistes to seek their inputs for preserving the states culture and heritage, to connect youth and promote tourism.
Sidhu’s call came after some artistes asked the Government to keep a strict check on vulgar songs.
The meeting was attended by noted poet and writer Surjit Patar, singer Jasbir Jassi, Sufi singer Satinder Sartaj, singer Pammi Bai, among others. Actor-comedian Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi, who is also Aam Aadmi Party’s State convener, also attended the meeting.
They demanded that the State Government keeps a check on “vulgar" songs and blamed "lewd" lyrics for "polluting" the minds of Punjabi youth and "disconnecting" them from State’s rich and glorious culture.
Asked whether "lewd" lyrics in Punjabi songs can be curbed, Sidhu said, "Absolutely."
Singer Jasbir Jassi said, "Strict action should be taken against those who promote vulgar songs. Such songs pollute the minds of young generation. The Government should also keep a check on it."
The State Cabinet Minister also promised to frame a policy on culture and float a proposal for setting up a film city on 100 acres of land to promote both culture and tourism in Punjab.
Sidhu said that school children should be made aware about the State’s rich culture and heritage and this subject could be incorporated in schools.
"If you ask anyone about actor Shah Rukh Khan he will definitely answer it. If you ask anybody about Bhai Mani Singh, he may not know. But he can certainly tell you about singer YoYo Honey Singh," he said.
Sidhu said that he will consolidate the suggestions by the artistes and will take it up with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
"We have sought suggestions in writing also which will be taken to the CM. We will come out with solutions. By the time the first budget of this Government is tabled, we will make set the tone for what the Government wanted to do." he said.
Sidhu also said forming a Gunda Act to curb piracy would also be his main agenda.
Promising the artistes that a policy on culture would be formed, "I will make sure that the policy (on culture) comes out which is necessary for our State," he said.
The artistes also pointed out that several efforts made by previous Government for preparing policy on culture had "failed completely".