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Time of India
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Punjab women panel summons Honey Singh, Karan Aujla over ‘misogynistic' lyrics
Chandigarh: The Punjab State Women's Commission has sought an inquiry into Punjabi singers Honey Singh and Karan Aujla for allegedly using derogatory language against women in their songs. Both singers have been asked to appear before the commission on Aug 11 to explain their side. Taking suo motu notice, the commission has directed the Punjab Police to investigate the lyrics of two songs, "Millionaire" by Honey Singh and "MF Gabru" by Karan Aujla, after finding them objectionable. In two separate letters sent to the director general of police (DGP), the commission's chairperson, Raj Lali Gill, requested that a senior officer from the Punjab Police headquarters' bureau of investigation take action and submit a report. Gill stated there is a growing trend of using derogatory language in new songs. She questioned the use of such vocabulary in songs written in the "mother tongue" Punjabi. Gill suggested that if singers believe this type of language is acceptable internationally, then they should not be creating songs in Punjabi. She further demanded that either the lyrics be changed, or the songs be banned altogether. Gill said that Honey Singh had previously apologised for his song lyrics, adding that singers are seen as "idols" and have a responsibility to create work that positively influences society. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola Gill said the commission has summoned both singers. If they are not in the country, they need to inform the commission of their return date to present their side of the story, she said. The letters added that the Punjab State Commission for Women, by virtue of the powers vested in it under Section 12 of the "Punjab State Commission for Women Act, 2001," has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. The commission can send a notice to any person and take appropriate action. The commission is very sensitive towards crimes and indecency against women, and the commission is concerned about the indecent and violent use of women in Punjab, it said. MSID:: 123164513 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Economic Times
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Karan Aujla's 'MF Gabhru' and Honey Singh's 'Millionaire' land them in trouble over 'objectionable' lyrics
The Punjab State Commission for Women is concerned about offensive lyrics in songs by Karan Aujla and Yo Yo Honey Singh. The commission has asked the police to investigate. They are focusing on Aujla's 'MF Gabru' and Honey Singh's 'Millionaire'. The commission has summoned both singers to appear on August 11. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Police told to act Singers asked to appear on August 11 Panel's statement Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Punjab State Commission for Women has taken serious note of the use of 'objectionable language' against women in recent songs by singers Karan Aujla and Yo Yo Honey Singh On Thursday, the panel said it had taken suo motu notice after spotting offensive lyrics in Aujla's song ' MF Gabru ' and Honey Singh's track ' Millionaire '. Both songs have been circulating widely on social commission has written to the Punjab Director General of Police, asking that a senior officer immediately investigate the matter and take necessary action as per the law. It also requested a status report on the action addition to the investigation, the panel has summoned both singers to appear before the commission on 11 August at its Lali Gill, Chairperson of the Commission, said the panel has powers under Section 12 of the Punjab State Commission for Women Act , 2001, and can take independent action on any issue involving the rights, dignity or safety of women.'The commission takes such matters very seriously and is committed to protecting women's rights and dignity,' Gill said in the official from PTI
Mint
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
'New form of censorship and harassment': Ashoka University prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad defends Facebook posts
Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, facing Haryana State Commission for Women's show cause notice for his Facebook post has issued a public statement stating that his posts were 'misunderstood and objected.' Slamming the summons that he had received, the Ashoka University commented, 'This is a new form of censorship and harassment, which invents issues where there are none'. The Harayana commission alleged that the remarks of the HoD of Political Science department in Ashoka University 'disparaged women officers in the Indian Armed Forces and promoted communal disharmony'. The Commission issued the notice to Mahmudabad on Monday after taking suo motu cognisance of his social media posts following Operation Sindoor on May 7. The remarks have been annexed in the show-cause notice. Mahmudabad has been summoned summoned to appear before the Commission on Wednesday. Ali Khan Mahmudabad is a historian, political scientist, and columnist. Ali Khan Mahmudabad holds a PhD and MPhil from the University of Cambridge, and an undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from Amherst College. He has also studied Arabic at the University of Damascus. In his remarks, Mahmudabad said, 'The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is importantly but optics must translate to reality on the ground otherwise it's just hypocrisy.' The Commission has interpreted his remarks as 'an attempt to vilify national military actions'. In his post on Facebook, Mahmudabad also condemned 'mob lynching' and 'arbitrary bulldozing'. 'I am very happy to see so many right wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureishi but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing and others who are victims of the BJP's hate mongering be protected as Indian citizens.' the Ashoka University professor said. Ashoka University has distanced themselves from this remark by Professor Mahmudabad. Renu Bhatia, chairperson of the commission, told ThePrint that the panel took suo motu cognisance of Ali Khan Mahmudabad's remarks under Sections 10(1)(f) and 10(1)(a) of the Haryana State Commission for Women Act, 2012. The notice highlights six concerns: disparaging women in uniform like Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh; misusing terms such as 'genocide' and 'dehumanisation'; vilifying military actions against cross-border terrorism; risking communal unrest; violating women's dignity under the Constitution and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita; and breaching the University Grants Commission's ethical guidelines for faculty. The Haryana State Commission for Women (Women's Commission) issued summons to me on 12 May 2025 in relation to certain posts made by me on social media. My lawyers have submitted my detailed reply to these summons and have represented me in front of the Commission today, 14 May 2025. The screenshots attached to the notice make it clear that my remarks have been completely misunderstood and that the Commission has no jurisdiction whatsoever in the matter. The Women's Commission is a body that serves an important function, however, the summons issued to me fail to highlight how my post is contrary to the rights of or laws for women. Contrary to the allegations, my post appreciated the fact that the armed forces chose Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh for the press conference to highlight the fact that the dream of the founders of our Republic, of an India which is united in its diversity, is still very much alive. I even applauded members of the right wing who supported Colonel Qureshi and invited them to have the same attitude for common Indian Muslims who face demonisation and persecution on a daily basis. If anything, my entire comments were about safeguarding the lives of both citizens and soldiers. Furthermore there is nothing remotely misogynistic about my comments that could be construed as anti-women. I have used my academic training and public voice to advocate for peace due to the high cost of war. At the same time I have analysed and commented on the manner in which "care has been taken by the Indian armed forces to not target military or civilian installations or infrastructure so that there is no unnecessary escalation." This reflects a clear appreciation of the Indian military's measured and proportional approach and indeed I have condemned the use of terrorists by the Pakistani military to destabilise the region. In fact in my analysis I have shown that this puts "the onus on the Pakistani military to make sure it cannot hide any longer behind terrorists and non-state actors." I further added that the Pak military has used these tactics "to destabilise the region for far too long." Animated by a profound moral commitment to minimising the human cost of armed conflict, my statements solely express concern over the thetorical excesses and reckless warmongering exhibited by certain sections of the civilian public. My academic record as well as my public writings and policy work which, at times have involved collaboration with senior bureaucrats, military officers, politicians and others from the Government of India, both active and retired, attest to the fact that I have also made it a priority to uphold the principles of our Constitution, safeguard the morality enshrined therein and protect the unity and integrity of India. All my public writings have always tried to uphold the principles of justice, liberty, fraternity and equality and have always sought to promote peace and communal harmony.
Mint
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
'New form of censorship and harassment': Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad defends Facebook posts
Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, facing Haryana State Commission for Women's show cause notice for his Facebook post has issued a public statement stating that his posts were 'misunderstood and objected.' Slamming the summons that he had received, the Ashoka University commented, 'This is a new form of censorship and harassment, which invents issues where there are none'. The Harayana commission alleged that the remarks of the HoD odfPolitical Science department in Ashoka University 'disparaged women officers in the Indian Armed Forces and promoted communal disharmony'. The Commission issued the notice to Mahmudabad on Monday after taking suo motu cognisance of his social media posts following Operation Sindoor on May 7. The remarks have been annexed in the show-cause notice. Mahmudabad has been summoned summoned to appear before the Commission on Wednesday. Ali Khan Mahmudabad is a historian, political scientist, and columnist. Ali Khan Mahmudabad holds a PhD and MPhil from the University of Cambridge, and an undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from Amherst College. He has also studied Arabic at the University of Damascus. In his remarks, Mahmudabad had described the media briefing on Operation Sindoor by woman officers — Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh — as 'optics' and 'just hypocrisy'. The Commission has interpreted his remarks as 'an attempt to vilify national military actions'. In his post on Facebook, Mahmudabad also condemned 'mob lynching' and 'arbitrary bulldozing'. He further decried war as 'brutal' and said the poor suffer while 'politicians and defence companies' benefit from it. Ashoka University has distanced themselves from this remark by Professor Mahmudabad. Renu Bhatia, chairperson of the commission, told ThePrint that the panel took suo motu cognisance of Ali Khan Mahmudabad's remarks under Sections 10(1)(f) and 10(1)(a) of the Haryana State Commission for Women Act, 2012. The notice highlights six concerns: disparaging women in uniform like Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh; misusing terms such as 'genocide' and 'dehumanisation'; vilifying military actions against cross-border terrorism; risking communal unrest; violating women's dignity under the Constitution and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita; and breaching the University Grants Commission's ethical guidelines for faculty. The Haryana State Commission for Women (Women's Commission) issued summons to me on 12 May 2025 in relation to certain posts made by me on social media. My lawyers have submitted my detailed reply to these summons and have represented me in front of the Commission today, 14 May 2025. The screenshots attached to the notice make it clear that my remarks have been completely misunderstood and that the Commission has no jurisdiction whatsoever in the matter. The Women's Commission is a body that serves an important function, however, the summons issued to me fail to highlight how my post is contrary to the rights of or laws for women. Contrary to the allegations, my post appreciated the fact that the armed forces chose Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh for the press conference to highlight the fact that the dream of the founders of our Republic, of an India which is united in its diversity, is still very much alive. I even applauded members of the right wing who supported Colonel Qureshi and invited them to have the same attitude for common Indian Muslims who face demonisation and persecution on a daily basis. If anything, my entire comments were about safeguarding the lives of both citizens and soldiers. Furthermore there is nothing remotely misogynistic about my comments that could be construed as anti-women. I have used my academic training and public voice to advocate for peace due to the high cost of war. At the same time I have analysed and commented on the manner in which "care has been taken by the Indian armed forces to not target military or civilian installations or infrastructure so that there is no unnecessary escalation." This reflects a clear appreciation of the Indian military's measured and proportional approach and indeed I have condemned the use of terrorists by the Pakistani military to destabilise the region. In fact in my analysis I have shown that this puts "the onus on the Pakistani military to make sure it cannot hide any longer behind terrorists and non-state actors." I further added that the Pak military has used these tactics "to destabilise the region for far too long." Animated by a profound moral commitment to minimising the human cost of armed conflict, my statements solely express concern over the thetorical excesses and reckless warmongering exhibited by certain sections of the civilian public. My academic record as well as my public writings and policy work which, at times have involved collaboration with senior bureaucrats, military officers, politicians and others from the Government of India, both active and retired, attest to the fact that I have also made it a priority to uphold the principles of our Constitution, safeguard the morality enshrined therein and protect the unity and integrity of India. All my public writings have always tried to uphold the principles of justice, liberty, fraternity and equality and have always sought to promote peace and communal harmony. Simply put, I have exercised my fundamental right to freedom of thought and speech in order to promote peace and harmony and to applaud the Indian armed forces for their resolute action, while criticising those who preach hatred and seek to destabilise India. I am surprised that the Women's Commission, while overreaching its jurisdiction, has misread and misunderstood my posts to such an extent that they have inverted their meaning. This is a new form of censorship and harassment, which invents issues where there are none. I have faith in the process of law and know that my fundamental, constitutional, and statutory rights will be protected. I reserve my right to take legal action against all those who are using this Notice of summons to make defamatory claims about me.
