Despite support from the BJP, the Pakistani singer’s show was cancelled after Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said the performance would be an insult to Indian martyrs
Just days before Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali was to cross the border for a performance in Mumbai, it is the Shiv Sena and BJP who have drawn battle lines over the concert. Despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis speaking in favour of the show, it was cancelled yesterday, following threats of a protest by the Sena.
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Sena activists yesterday threatened to launch a protest against the concert unless it was cancelled
According to the Sena, Pakistan is waging war against India, and the two countries cannot have cultural ties. The BJP, on the other hand, says it supports the show, since art is not limited by borders.
Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali will not be performing in Mumbai on October 9, confirmed the event organiser. File pic
Pakistan Ghazal legend Ghulam Ali’s concert was scheduled to be held on October 9 at Shanmu-khananda hall in Sion East. Yesterday, however, Akshay Badrapurkar, general secretary of Chitrapat Sena (Shiv Sena’s cinema and artists’ wing) met the venue manager to ask that the show be cancelled. The venue has often been used by the Sena for its own programmes.
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“We are against any form of cultural association with Pakistan. We cannot have ties with a country that kills our soldiers. They are against us, so why should we let their singers perform here?” Badrapurkar told mid-day. “Today we are requesting them to cancel the programme. If they don't, we will be forced to protest in our style,” he added.
‘Show must go on’
Sena ally BJP has taken an opposite stand. “Whether in power or not, we have never opposed any artiste from any country. We believe artistes are not limited to any country; they belong to the world. We have no issue with the show going on,” said BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty.
The CM was also reported as being in favour of the programme, saying that since Indian artistes had performed in Pakistan earlier, Pakistani artistes should also be able to do the same here. Under threat from the Sena, however, the show was eventually cancelled. All pass holders will be refunded, said the event organiser.
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