Ludhiana: Punjabi pop singer Guru Randhawa is facing dual controversies as a Ludhiana court has summoned him over “derogatory” lyrics in his track Sirra, even as his latest release Azul has sparked nationwide outrage for allegedly sexualising schoolgirls and objectifying women through alcohol metaphors.

The complaint against Sirra, filed by Rajdeep Singh Mann of Samrala, objects to the lyrics: “We are the sons of Jatts. We got opium as our first food when we were born.” The complainant argued that the song promotes drug culture while also defaming the Jatt community.

Acting on the plea, the court of Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate Rajinder Singh has summoned Randhawa to appear — either in person or through counsel — on September 2 under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

The complaint also names several platforms, including Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, Instagram, Spotify India, Warner Music India, and others, for publishing and promoting the song. Despite the backlash, Sirra has already crossed 60 million views on YouTube.

However, the storm around Randhawa has only intensified with his new track, Azul. The video, where the singer plays a photographer in an all-girls school, is being slammed for “fetishising” minors and normalising harassment — even though the female leads are adult actors portraying school students.

Adding fuel to the fire, Randhawa repeatedly compares women to liquor brands in the lyrics. Lines like “Ni bottle Azul diye” (You’re like a bottle of Azul), “Nakhra aa jive Don Julio batali” (Your attitude is like a Don Julio bottle), and “White wine wangu billo goriyan ne bahan” (Fair girls have arms like white wine) have been called “tone deaf” and “pornographic fetishisation” in 2025.

Critics argue that likening women to over 15 types of alcohol — from Don Julio, Hennessy, and Bombay Sapphire to Desi Tharra — objectifies them in an era when pop culture is expected to be more socially responsible.

Women’s groups and social media users have blasted Randhawa for sending out the wrong message to young audiences. Many said the music video promotes harassment under the guise of glamour. The singer has restricted comments on his Instagram posts and has so far not issued any response.

Randhawa, once one of Punjabi pop’s most bankable stars, now finds himself at the center of two simultaneous cultural and legal battles — one for glorifying drugs, and the other for sexualising schoolgirls and women in the name of glamour.