The Punjab government has decided to set up a culture commission to keep check on vulgarity in Punjabi music.

While disclosing this on Saturday at Punjab Bhawan on the occasion of a meeting with the renowned intellectuals, litterateurs, artists and thinkers of Punjab, the State Cultural Affairs and Tourism minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu announced that ‘Punjab Culture Commission’ would be formed amid the escalating concerns about rising vulgarity in the Punjabi music scenario.

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He said the Commission would tackle the menace of vulgarity by working zealously towards its complete eradication.

Sidhu further said that the Commission would be authorised by the Punjab government and would make recommendations to take stringent action as per the provisions enshrined in the law against those singers or artists polluting the cultural scene of the state through vulgar, double meaning or violent inciting songs.

He further elaborated that if needed, the Commission would also be empowered to issue show cause notices those singers singing vulgar songs or those glorifying violence.

It will then call them for counseling and still if they do not desist, then as a last resort the option of getting an FIR registered against the singer would also be open to the Commission.

He further said that the Section 290, Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code and the Section 67 and 67-A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 have relevant provisions to take action in this regard.

In a Press statement, it has been stated that the Patron in Chief of the Commission would be the CM while Navjot Singh Sidhu would be the Patron.

The responsibility of recommending the other members of the Commission was entrusted to the Chairman of Punjab Art Council, Dr Surjit Patar who would also be the Chairman of the commission. Divulging more, Sidhu revealed that this Commission would submit its report within two weeks, which would be taken up with the CM Amarinder Singh.

On the occasion, Chairman of Punjab Art Council, Dr Surjit Patar said that the Council is making painstaking efforts at district, Tehsil, and village level to spread awareness with regard to the Punjabi culture, history and great heritage down to the farthest corner of the state.

The meeting also saw various experts airing their views regarding classification of the songs, promoting those singers devoted to Punjabi culture.