Renowned Punjabi artist Gurnam Bhullar’s highly awaited performance at Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi University was halted mid-way after students jumped barricades at the sports ground on campus on Thursday, triggering security concerns amid an overwhelming crowd.While it kicked off with multiple bhangra circles and students on each others’ shoulders for a clear view, the evening shifted gears as the crowd increased. The Diamond fame singer appealed to students to avoid jumping barriers. “Please line na cross karo, show chalda hai tab hi. Discipline se khade raho, main bhi idhar khada raha. Jidhar kharabi hoyi toh menu jana padega. Apni apni jagah khade raho phir hum bhangra paon denge. (Please don’t cross the line, that’s how the show will continue. Maintain discipline, I’m still standing here. If there is any issue then I’ll have to leave. Stay where you are and then we’ll dance and do bhangra.)
Organisers signalled to the artist to halt the show as the crowd swelled and began breaching barricades to get near the stage
Security reasons were important: StudentsSome students said entry points were bypassed, allowing access from areas with relatively less security presence. Gurmehar Singh, second year student of Chemistry (Hons), waited near the barricades for almost an hour before reaching the VIP area near the stage from a different entry gate. “We were unable to enter the VIP area despite having our names in the guest list. But maybe that was for security reasons due to the unexpected turnout or maybe it could have been improved,” he said.Organisers signalled to the artist to halt the show as the crowd swelled and began breaching barricades to get near the stage, prompting security concerns. Police and security personnel in the college were alert and firm. “Barrier break na karo please. Hume program rokna padega. Dil ni kar raha jaan nu par phir milenge kisi show mein. Mera mann hai ki main aur gaavan lekin koi bhasad ho… Thank you ji. (Please don’t break the barriers. We will have to stop the program. I don’t feel like going but we will meet in some other show. I want to sing more but before anything happens… Thank you.)” Gurnam said as he bid adieu.
“Dil ni kar raha jaan nu par phir milenge kisi show mein,” Gurnam said as he waved to the crowd as he left
Organisers say show was halted to manage crowdTalking about the abrupt end to the fest, Dr. Inderpreet Kaur, Advisor, Students Union, SGTBKC said, “The situation was controlled and the singer performed as per the time given. We told him to leave early so that we could manage the crowd. Still, things went well and were smooth. All were students from different colleges. The crowd was unexpected, and the security personnel handled things very well. It’s about the artist’s popularity since he is a renowned Punjabi actor and singer. As soon as the artist left, within an hour, students left the college.”Some waited for hoursA second-year economics student said students who had waited for hours were left disappointed after the performance ended early. “Some of my friends had been at the venue since 12.30pm,” she said.
