Asserting that “music has no boundaries”, the Delhi government on Thursday invited Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali to perform in the national capital after his concert in Mumbai was cancelled due to protests by the Shiv Sena.
Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra said that the Pakistani singer was welcome to come to the city for holding a performance.
“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,” he wrote on Twitter.
Ali’s concert in Mumbai was cancelled on Wednesday after the Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt it, warning that no artiste from Pakistan will be allowed to perform in the city till terror emanating from across the border is stopped.
The event organisers had announced the cancellation after a meeting with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.
The decision was taken despite a snub to the Sena by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who said adequate protection would be provided to Ali and that the concert, organised in memory of late Ghazal singer Jagjit Singh, would be held according to schedule.
“Ghulam Ali’s programme has been cancelled. Neither Ghulam Ali nor any Pakistani artiste will be performing at the October 9 event,” organiser Randhir Roy had said.
Reacting to the development, Ali had said that the concert was not cancelled from his end.
“The atmosphere is not conducive for me to perform”, he said, adding that he wanted Indo-Pak ties to improve.
He further said that whenever his fans call him with love, he goes and performs.
“Such controversies spoil people’s ‘sur’ (note). I am not angry, I am hurt. In love, such things don’t happen,” he believed.
Describing Jagjit Singh as his “good brother”, Ali said that wherever they met and performed, “we were one”.
Justifying the cancellation, Roy had said, “Since the situation on the border is not conducive, it is not correct to call and promote any Pakistani singer”.
The Shiv Sena had said, “Ceasefire violations are taking place unabated and on Wednesday also four jawans were killed in firing by Pakistan which is continuing to sponsor terrorism in this country.”
