When contacted earlier, the hotel management where the singer's concert was being held said that the event was not going to be cancelled for whatsoever reason. Latest developments however, reveal that the concert has been cancelled.
His song topped the list of most-watched YouTube videos in 2012 and his fan club ensures every concert has him making good moolah, but Punjabi rapper Honey Singh isn't a favourite with all. Lately, he's been the target of petitioners and netizens who want him to cancel his New Year's performance. The reason?
His vulgar use of language in songs that glorify sex. And with growing angst against the rampant incidents of crimes against women across the country, and the movement for justice for the victim of the Delhi gang-rape of December 19, the outrage over Honey Singh's songs has increased.
Honey Singh lands in trouble, police lodge FIR
Leading the movement against the rapper is Delhi-based Kalpana Misra who has filed an online petition on Sunday seeking cancellation of the rapper's New Year's Eve performance at Bristol Hotel, Gurgaon.
Speaking against the Punjabi's rapper's song, C**** (censored for obvious reasons), the petitioner writes, “These pornographic lyrics are unacceptable and it is because of women-hating sentiments like these that men think that it's fine to do what they did on that bus, that December night in Delhi”.
The petition has been signed by 2,000 people already.
When contacted earlier, the hotel management said that the event was not going to be cancelled for whatsoever reason. Latest developments reveal that the concert has been cancelled.
Raheel Khursheed, director communications of Change.org, said that even though the petition hasn't been successful in making the hotel management change their plans earlier, it has given them an idea of people's anger.
"Online petitions channelize people's anger and gives it direction," said Khursheed while talking about what result the petition yielded.
Honey Singh has been trending on Twitter India since Monday morning. People have been posting their disgust and disbelief that a rapper as popular as Singh could glamourise rape.
While a few fans came out in support of the rapper, others thought it was a publicity stunt.
Some reactions on Twitter:
@Valley_Bandi: Honey singh's lyrics are linked to violence against women. What about bollywood's item no.s..!!#SenselessOne
@AnantKabra: On eve of this last day of the year i swearing not to attempt a rape of the DJ, if he/she playing the trackes of yo yo Honey Singh.
@MyHyness: @PWNeha It's about how Honey Singh's lyrics DISRESPECT women. Aur kuch nahi. The only difference is, he is verbally raping women.
@AListRap: Rather than get the hotel to stop Honey Singh's show, just ask people to not show up. Nothing speaks to an artist like empty seats do.
@cyberaditya: Every one out there in media opposing Honey Singh If people don't like his songs than simply don't listen them.. he will not remain singer.
@sunandavashisht: Bollywood,Honey Singh (whoever he is), Indian culture of misogyny etc.The idea is to take the debate to abstract realm with abstract answers
@ankushraj29: So finally we find who is responsible for Rapes, yes it is Honey Singh...
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