Punjab to bring in law for action against artistes glorifying drug abuse in songs: Minister

Punjab is going to bring in a law soon for action against artistes glorifying drug abuse in ir songs, state minister Charanjit Singh Channi said Tuesday.

Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister also appealed to artistes hailing from state "t to promote drugs in ir songs and films or glorify gun culture" as y are considered role models by young generation. " Punjab Government is going to bring in a law soon for action against artistes promoting drugs (in songs), he said here.

minister stated this during a meeting with folk singer Pammi Bai, who called on him here to voice concern over issue, an official statement said.

Pammi Bai said strong action was needed against glorification of drugs by some Punjabi singers. He also called for a people's movement against drug menace and demanded "social boycott" of artistes glorifying drug abuse. Punjab has been struggling to check narcotics menace despite a crackdown by authorities against drug traffickers and syndicates that operate along India-Pakistan international border.

Last month, Punjab and Haryana High Court h in an order banning use of loudspeakers or public dress systems in private and public s in two states without written permission of authorities, h also directed police chiefs to ensure that songs are played glorifying liquor, drugs and violence, even in live shows. tourism minister expressed grave concern over issue of youths in state being caught in drug menace and claimed that some films and songs by Punjabi artistes have encourd this trend.

Channi also said that it is moral duty of Punjabi artists to present real picture of Punjabi culture before world so as to dispel wrong tions about state.

Recently, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh h urged artistes to evolve consensus among mselves t to promote gun culture, obscenity and vulgarity in songs and videos which allure incent impressionable minds towards crime and hatred. He h urged Punjabi singers, dramatists, and filmmakers to play a proactive role in complementing state government's efforts to combat drug menace.

state accounted for maximum seizure of opium in country in 2017 at over 505 kg, while it was second in category of seizure of heroin at 406 kg after Gujarat's 1,017 kg during same year