The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday directed the Punjab government to initiate action against rapper Honey Singh for dabbling in vulgar songs.
The court observed that society needs to boycott such singers. Honey Singh’s song “Main Hoon Balatkari” (I am a rapist) has evoked strong criticism. The song has heavy dose of abuses.
Interestingly, the courtroom was full of young lawyers who had gathered to see Honey Singh who in fact did not arrive for the scheduled hearing on Tuesday. To this the court commented that they (lawyers) should boycott him instead of wanting to see him.
The court said that authorities should register a case against Honey Singh.
The hearing resumed following a PIL filed by a Mohali-based NGO Human Empowerment League of Punjab (HELP). The court of acting Chief Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain also asked the authorities to take action against those who have been part of the song.
HELP had named Diljit Dosanjh, Gippy Grewal, Amar Chamkila, Ashok Masti and Geeta Zaildar. Honey Singh had failed to appear before the court during the last hearing. The court on Tuesday directed to issue fresh summons to the singer through e-mail and registered post for the next date of hearing on July 4.
The court said, “Why has the government not taken cognisance of ‘Main hoon Balatkari’ (I am a rapist) song sung by Honey Singh, even though it attracts the provisions of Section 294 of the IPC (singing or uttering any obscene song or words in public place), which is a cognisable offence?”
Punjab’s counsel informed the court that the chief minister had taken notice of the case. Justice Jain said, “How can he sing such kind of songs? You can’t read the whole lyrics. You cant go through the complete song. You (Punjab) read the YouTube and take action against him. In his songs there is nothing except abuses.”
Meanwhile, Honey Singh has said that he did not write the lyrics and only sang at a party in Gurgaon.
