After the Shiv Sena was successful in stopping renowned Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, from performing in Mumbai, the AAP government in Delhi invited the singer to perform in the national capital on Thursday.
Delhi’s culture minister, Kapil Mishra tweeted, “Sad that #GhulamAli is not being allowed in Mumbai, I invite him to come to Delhi and do the concert. Music has no boundaries. #BanTheBan”
The singer was to perform in Mumbai at an event organized in memory of the late ghazal singer Jagjit Singh on his death anniversary. After a meeting between the organizers and the Shiv Sena film wing, Randhir Roy speaking on behalf of the organizers said, “Ghulam Ali's programme has been cancelled. Neither Ghulam Ali nor any Pakistani artiste will be performing at the 9 October event."
Senior Sena leader Mangesh Satamkar said in support, “We have always opposed the performance of Pakistani artists in India to protest its ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC).”
Justifying the Sena's call, Aditya Thackeray said that the Pakistani artist cannot be allowed to perform at a time when Indian jawans were being killed on the border and there were ceasefire violations.
BJP condemns Sena
However, BJP which forms the government in the state in coalition with the Shiv Sena, has taken a different line on this matter with the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reportedly saying, “It is wrong to involve Ghulam Ali in Indo-Pak politics," welcoming him to perform in the state and offering him full protection during his stay.
Speaking to NDTV, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi echoed, “What the Sena is doing with Ghulam Ali is absolutely wrong. People like him must be kept above and beyond borders."
Congress calls it extreme
Reacting to the incident, a veteran Congress leader tweeted, “Extremists get extreme! Now, Ghulam Ali can't sing in BJP ruled Mumbai to honour memory of Jagjit Singh! Pluralism shelved, PM Mum! Wake up!”