Blaming the ``judgemental error'' of one of the disc jockeys, AIR's senior officials have said they won't play any such song with objectionable lyrics in the future, as AIR has always been in the forefront of the anti-drugs campaign and has spearheaded many other social causes.

In a letter addressed to Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha leader Vineet Kanchan, who had complained against the song last week, the assistant station director of AIR, Baban Kale, said: ``I would like to mention that due to oversight, one of our disc jockeys used the song (Cocaine) by Eric Clapton with objectionable lyrics, which has been promptly brought to our notice by you. The song has been immediately withdrawn.''

On Monday, AIR's station director, C Rajgopal, had told Express Newsline he would thoroughly examine thematter and find out how the song had been played on FM Channel's Golden Classics programme on September 25.

Though anti-drugs crusaders like Dr Yusuf Merchant will surely be happy with the ban, many music lovers have expressed shock at AIR's decision.

``Cocaine was originally written by J J Cale, and it became world famous two decades ago, when Clapton sung it. I fail to understand why such a great song should be banned or withdrawn. I guess it's different strokes for different folks. Why can't people simply enjoy the song for its melody and great guitaring?'' commented veteran rocker Farhad Wadia of Mirage group.

Farhad agreed the lyrics of `Cocaine' glorified the drug to some extent, but argued: ``What about vulgar Hindi songs like `sarkailo khatiya...'? In fact, now that `Cocaine' has been banned, youngsters will become more curious and will make it a point to listen to it anyhow.''

Model Madhu Sapre, who had earlier posed for the controversial Tuff Shoes advertisement, commented: ``India isgoing crazy banning things of little significance. Just one song going off the air will not make any difference to the drug racket. The government should ban other social menaces, like the Navratri programmes that sometimes go on till 1.30 am.''

Leslie Lewis, who openly declares his love for Clapton and his works, said: ``If lyrics are the only hassle, then a lot of other songs can also be banned. Why pick `Cocaine,' whose great beats are world-class?''

However, Dr Yusuf Merchant reasoned most of today's teenagers are a confused lot and are easily influenced by Western ideas. ``Youngsters at a rock show, for instance, feel that to be in with the crowd, you should be `cool' and hence they smoke, drink and also take drugs. The government should ban all such songs with immediate effect,'' Merchant added. Channel [V] spokesperson Rachna Chhachhi said they avoid playing music videos of songs like `Cocaine' for the same reasons.