‘No license, no music’ directive challenged

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed at the Gujarat high court in connection with the Indian Performing Right Society Limited’s (IPRS) recent directives. According to the directives any garba organisers who play Hindi and Desi music at garba function without getting license for playing such songs could be dragged to the court.

The PIL was filed at the Gujarat high court by one Davendra Kumar Trivedi. In his PIL, Trivedi stated that Hindi and Desi songs have been played at garba function for a long time now, and that people have all right to play and listen to such songs during the festival.

The PIL further states that banning of such Desi and Hindi songs during Navratri would amount to curtailing the fundamental rights of the citizens and also hurting the religious sentiments of people.

Earlier, the IPRS had stated that as Gujarat features on the map of highest level of piracy and illegal music in the country, the IPRS have taken up the cudgel to curb the menace.
IPRS members have talked to several garba organisers in the city who organise garba at commercial level and play all types of music without license.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the bench of chief justice KS Radhakrishnan and justice Akil Kureshi reserved the order.