It’s heartbreak for DJ David Guetta fans in Bengaluru as organisers of India’s electronic music festival, Sunburn, have been forced to cancel the concert on Thursday.
In a Facebook post, Sunburn stated,
“#Alert - Due to the present law & order situation in #Bengaluru following the events that happened around New Year's Eve, the authorities have recommended against holding the concert scheduled today with David Guetta
We as #Sunburn tried our very best to make it happen but the authorities understandibily are not prepared to take any chances.
Hence today's concert unfortunately stands cancelled.”
The Bengaluru Rural SP Amit Singh told TNM that they have asked Sunburn festival to find another suitable date as elections for the Agricultural Produce Market Committee is happening and they did not have the required police manpower to be stationed at the concert as well.
“Even if they had approached us two weeks ago, we would have managed security. However, they came to us only two days ago for permission,” said Singh.
The SP denied Sunburn's claims that the concert was cancelled because of law and order problems. "They can say whatever they want, the concert in in Bengaluru rural and not city. I need more than 500 personnel for the elections. It is not possible to give security to the concert. How is this connected to New Year's Eve issues?", asked Amit Singh.
The organisers said they will try to reschedule the concert “subject to approval from the artist and the authorities.”
The concert was scheduled to be held at Embassy International Riding School on Thursday.
In an interview to Radio and Music, Sunburn Global CEO Karan Singh stated, “Due to the present law and order situation in Bengaluru following the events that transpired around New Year's Eve, the authorities have recommended against holding the David Guetta concert scheduled today in the city. We at Sunburn tried our very best to make it happen but the authorities understandably are not prepared to take any chances. Hence, today's concert unfortunately stands cancelled.”
However, following the statement of the organisers, many are connecting the cancellation to the sexual harassment cases on New Year’s Eve in Bengaluru.
David Guetta is on a 4-city tour, beginning at Bengaluru.