Mumbai: Ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali will not be able to perform his programme in Mumbai and Pune as the organisers received threat from Shiv Sena.
Sena president Uddhav Thackeray has reportedly asked organiser not to invite pakistani singers.
Shiv Sena has officially written to the organisers saying they should cancel the performances of all Pakistani artists until the neighbouring country refuses to curb terrorism.
The letter written by Chitrapat Sena Vibhag Pramukh Mangesh Satamkar says their opposition is not just to Ghulam Ali but for all Pakistani artistes who gain commercially while widows of Indian jawans killed on the border mourn their loss.
Shiv Sena has always maintained that there should be no cultural, sporting and political relations with Pakistan unless it stops terrorism emanating from its soil.
On earlier occasions, Shiv Sena had forced the organisers to cancel singer Atif Aslam’s show in Pune while it has always opposed Pakistan cricket team playing on Indian soil.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Shaina NC has condemned the move. She said the concert will go on if it has all the required permissions. She hoped that in case of a law and order problem; Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will take a decision that is in public interest.
“The programmes would be held as per schedule, but Ghulam Ali will not participate in it. This decision was taken at a meeting between the event organisers and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray today here this evening (Wednesday),” the Shiv Sena’s film wing Chitrapat Sena general secretary Akshay Bardapurkar told media persons.
The Shiv Sena earlier on Wednesday threatened to disrupt Ghulam Ali’s proposed live concerts in Mumbai and Pune this week.
“We have met and asked the authorities at Shanmukhananda Hall in Matunga to cancel the show proposed to be held on October 9, failing which we shall protest in our own style.”
Officials said Ghulam Ali’s participation in the events in Mumbai and Pune could raise security concerns and it was the duty of the government to ensure the safety of the internationally-acclaimed artiste.