Centre raises red flag, ‘SYL’ removed from YouTube
FARIDKOT: Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala’s posthumously released song SYL has been removed by YouTube from its platform in India following a complaint by the government.
Released on June 23, the song garnered nearly 27 million views and 3.3 million likes on the singer’s YouTube page in less than three days before it was withheld on the video sharing platform in the country. The song, however, is available in other countries.
“This content is not available on this country domain due to a legal complaint from the government,” said a message on the song link.
The title SYL referred to the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal and the lyrics warned that Punjab will not share its river waters if the injustices meted out to it are not stopped, bringing up years of militancy in the state that led to fear and social tumult.
An official familiar with the development requesting anonymity said the government objected that the SYL canal issue is a sub-judice matter and raised concerns regarding some visuals in the video.
The song is still available on audio streaming platforms. A 14-second teaser of the song is also available on Moose Wala’s official pages on Facebook and Instagram. The song, leaked on social media a day earlier, was officially uploaded on YouTube at 6pm on June 23.
Moose Wala’s family termed as “unjust” the decision to ban SYL on YouTube and appealed to the government to withdraw the complaint. Chamkaur Singh, Moosewala’s uncle, said he has spoken to his brother and father of the slain singer, Balkaur Singh, and they have not got any notice regarding the song.
“They can ban the song, but they cannot take Sidhu out of the hearts of the people. We will discuss legal options with lawyers,” Chamkaur Singh said.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) opposed the takedown. “Sidhu Moose Wala’s song #SYL captures Punjabis’ sentiments on Riparian principle on river waters and on Bandi Singhs,” the SAD tweeted. “Any move to ban it on any pretext would be ill advised and against the Punjabis’ democratic rights and freedom of expression. Shiromani Akali Dal opposes any such move.”
Moose Wala, brought up the politically complex four-decadeold issue of the construction of the SYL canal. Visuals accompanying the song showcased events Punjab witnessed since 1947. Apart from the SYL dispute with Haryana, the song talked about the post-Independence undivided Punjab, the issue of states’ sovereignty under a federal system, the 1984 riots, the incident of the Sikh flag being hoisted at the Red Fort during the farmers’ agitation, and called for the release of Sikhs taken political prisoners.
RELEASED ON JUNE 23, THE SONG GARNERED NEARLY 27 MILLION VIEWS ON THE SINGER’S YOUTUBE PAGE IN LESS THAN THREE DAYS