However, he said that if Kasuri paid homage to the Indian soldiers, who had died at Pakistan’s hands in the ceasefire violations before launching his book, then the Shiv Sena would consider letting him go ahead with his event. But the organizers had backed out, bowing to Sena pressure.The Shiv Sena has threatened a protest at the Nehru Centre which is scheduled to host the Kasuri function on Monday.
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Following the cancellation of his concert in Mumbai and Pune, Ghulam Ali was invited by the Delhi government to perform in the national capital, which the singer has accepted. Have Pakistani artists ever condemned these attacks by their countries on Indian soil? the Sena questioned. “Art and artiste can not be linked to any specific region or religion… boundaries of countries can not impose limitations on them”, he said. “I am not angry, I am very hurt” says Ghulam.
A Sena spokesman reiterated on Sunday that the party would not allow any function, featuring a Pakistani, to be held in Maharashtra.
Mumbai, October 11: The Shiv Sena is out to scupper tomorrow’s Mumbai launch of a book written by former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, setting the stage for another proxy confrontation with ruling partner BJP.
He has also been invited by officials to hold a concert in West Bengal. Of course, the Shiv Sena’s irrational action does not mean an end to Ghulam Ali’s performances in Mumbai; hopefully he will regale the audience there sooner than later.
In April, Ali performed at a music festival at a famous Hindu temple in the holy city of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh State, and paid tribute to a celebrated Indian musician, Bismillah Khan. “Shiv Sena activists abused me, smeared black paint on my face”, Sudheendra Kulkarni said.
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“Ghulam Ali saab and his music are above and beyond politics”. Such controversies spoil people’s “sur” (note).
