Diljit Dosanjh's Pune Concert Permit Cancelled as Alcohol Controversy Ignites
 

The much-awaited Diljit Dosanjh concert in Pune hit a roadblock when the Maharashtra excise department cancelled the event's permit over serving liquor at the venue. The brewing controversy has stemmed from objections raised by various groups, including local BJP MLA Chandrakant Patil, who expressed a major issue about liquor being served during the function in the Kothrud area of Pune.

Maharashtra excise commissioner C Rajput confirmed that the alcohol permit had been cancelled. He said the permission for alcohol service had been withdrawn after objections were raised. A newly elected MLA, Patil from Kothrud, opposed the concert saying this was the kind of shows not aligned with the culture of the city and would cause serious disruptions. He also felt there would be the problem of traffic congestion and disturbance by locals.

The concert, which was scheduled to take place at Kakade Farm in Kothrud, was expected to be a high-profile event, with Diljit Dosanjh performing in front of a number of people. However, objections and the cancellation of alcohol permits have disappointed many concert-goers who should have attended it. The concert will still happen, but without alcohol being served.

Patil is quoted saying that the concert would cause a ruckus in the locality, besides the apprehension for heavy traffic and large crowds. He urged the city police commissioner to cancel the event, saying that it would raise too many questions on public safety as well as cause inconvenience to the locality people.

Diljit Dosanjh did not comment on the cancellation of a permit, but the affair set off a stormy debate over the intersection of entertainment and local culture. On one hand, some feel that such concerts should go ahead without obstacles, while others support Patil in his utterance to protect the local community and values at stake.

While the controversy casts a shadow over the event, it also brings to the fore the increasing tension between modern entertainment and local traditions. As it happens here that the concert goes on alcohol-free, one can only wait and see whether this would become the mainstream trend in future events at Pune as well as in other cities.

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