“Don’t perform in India”, Shiv Sena threatens legendery singer Gulam Ali Khan

When asked about the invites extended to him by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee to come and perform after the Mumbai fiasco, Mr Ali said he is not in the frame of mind to perform right now.

“Music and art has no boundary, I feel that the freedom of people is being restricted a lot”, he added.

The concert at Shanmukhananda Hall in Mumbai was a tribute to the late Jagjit Singh, who was like a brother to him, he said. But the show in Mumbai was called off on Wednesday after Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt his live concert.

The tribute to Jagjit Singh has been specially brought to India through “Ek Ehsaas” concerts which provide a platform to connect people through music. This is not the first time that the Sena has opposed a programme by a Pakistani artist.

Shiv Sena, however, today said it was not possible to have fun when soldiers are being martyred and that it will continue to “boycott” Pakistan till it stops terror activities. A leader of the Chitrapat Sena reportedly told the organizers “Pakistan has targeted Indian soldiers, decapitated them and returned their headless bodies; India should not be enjoying cultural relations with them”.

The party says it will not allow any artiste from Pakistan to perform until the situation in Kashmir has improved.

“Sad that Ghulam Ali is not being allowed in Mumbai”.

Meanwhile, the decision to cancel Ghulam Ali’s Pune concert, scheduled for October 10, was taken despite limp protestations and postures of lament by the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government.

Music director Vishal Dadlani noted that Ghulam Ali’s music was above and beyond politics.

Meanwhile, BJP was critical of Shiv Sena chief’s offer to sing. “We know Uddhavji through his performance will take potshot at us again”.

Sena wants to cut cultural ties with Pakistan.

Organisers of the event announced the cancellation after a meeting with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in the evening at “Matoshree”, the Thackeray residence in suburban Bandra. Ceasefire violations are happening every day.

Ghulam Ali is an emblem of all that is good in India and Pakistan, he stands for the harmony that exists in our two countries, despite the hate spread by certain vested interests.