Censorship of Chechen music provokes ironic comments on social networks

In Chechnya, singers are not allowed to take part in festivities without approvals from the Chechen Ministry of Culture and a special commission engaged in verifying texts of Chechen songs, Ramzan Kadyrov has announced.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in July 2019, Khozh-Baudi Daaev, Chechen Minister of Culture, criticized local amateur performers who posted their records on the Internet. According to a TV report, amateur songs are being verified for compliance with the Chechen mentality, and their authors often "fail to comply with the standards adopted in Chechnya."

A performer of songs in the Chechen language should be associated with the activities of the republic's Ministry of Culture, Ramzan Kadyrov has stated.

In Chechen public accounts on Instagram, most users left negative comments concerning amateurs promoting local folklore.

Some Instagram users expressed their indignation at the statement about the censorship of music and left ironic comments. "Will we still be allowed to sing in the shower? Or should we then send a request for permission from the Ministry of Culture?" wrote user safiya_offi.

Earlier, Chechen singers have also been subjected to pressure because of amateur performance of songs. So, on September 8, 2019, Kheda Saratova, a member of the Human Rights Council under the leader of Chechnya, reported that singers Ayub and Askhab Vakharagov were detained for a "preventive conversation," since they violated the ban on the performance of songs not approved by the authorities of Chechnya.