Singer Guru Randhawa Summoned for Controversial Song Lyrics
Punjabi pop star Guru Randhawa has been summoned to court following objections over a lyric in his new song Sirra, which likens giving opium to newborns—sparking uproar over religious and cultural insensitivity.
When Tradition Meets a Tune And the Clash That Followed
Guru Randhawa, beloved for his energetic Punjabi hits, now finds himself amid an unexpected and delicate controversy. It all started with a line in his latest release Sirra: *“Jamiyan nu gudhti ch mildi afeem hai”*translating to “newborns are given opium in their cradle.” What might seem like poetic exaggeration in a song sparked outrage among cultural watchdogs and rightfully so.
In the Sikh tradition, the term “gudhti” carries a sacred resonance—it often refers to a symbolic sweetened blessing offered to a newborn. To associate that with opium was perceived not just as irreverent, but deeply offensive. Rajdeep Singh Mann of Samrala filed a formal complaint, arguing the lyric insulted a revered practice. Subsequently, a court summons has been issued, asking Randhawa to appear on 2 September in the Samrala court.
Imagine a lullaby meant to cradle a newborn now replaced with a jarring image involving a harmful substance. This clash between artistic licence and religious sentiment is precisely what’s at the heart of the debate. The fragrance of a tradition, intertwined with cultural roots, was likened to something destructive.
Not surprisingly, voices across Punjab’s towns and newsrooms chimed in some asking if our creative narratives have lost their moral bearings, others demanding accountability.
What makes this all the more complex is Randhawa’s stature. Known for creating catchy rhythms and club anthems, he seldom courts controversy. Yet here he is, summoned not merely as an entertainer but as someone whose words touched a sensitive nerve.
Whatever the court’s decision, the larger question now looms: where should artists draw the line between artistic freedom and cultural courtesy? And when popbeats meet potent symbols, should caution come before creativity?
