As Concert Cancelled After Sena Threat

Renowned Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali’s concert in Mumbai has been cancelled after objections raised by the Shiv Sena, which co-governs Maharashtra with the BJP.
“I’m not angry but very hurt. I have always got love in India,” Ghulam Ali told a leading TV channel form India. “The concert was a tribute for Jagjit Singh. He was like a brother to me,” he said. “Such controversies spoil the sur of music,” Ghulam Ali said. The concert was cancelled after the organisers met Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray .

“Our meeting was good with Uddhav. The program will take place but Ghulam Ali is not coming for the program,” Randhir Ranjan Roy, the organiser, said.

Demanding that the concert be cancelled, the Shiv Sena had earlier said, “We can’t have cultural ties with Pakistan when they kill our soldiers.” Ally BJP however had slammed the demand. Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi of the BJP told NDTV: “What the Sena is doing with Ghulam Ali is absolutely wrong. People like him must be kept above and beyond borders.” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had also said the Ghulam Ali is welcome to perform in Mumbai. “The Maharashtra government is ready to give full protection to the singer. It is wrong to involve Ghulam Ali in Indo-Pak politics,” he said.
Ghulam Ali was scheduled to perform on Friday at Mumbai’s Shanmukhanand Hall, a venue for several Shiv Sena functions.