Ghulam Ali gets Bengal, Delhi invites for concert
A day after celebrated Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali’s Mumbai concert was cancelled due to Shiv Sena threats, the Delhi and West Bengal governments on Thursday offered to host the ghazal maestro’s event, emphasising that music and culture have “no boundaries”. Delhi’s AAP government condemned the Shiv Sena for threatening to disrupt the concert. The 75year- old singer was to perform in Mumbai and Pune this week as part of a tribute to singer Jagjit Singh, but the Mumbai show was called off Wednesday after the Sena’s threats.
Delhi tourism and culture minister Kapil Mishra tweeted: “Sad Ghulam Ali is not being allowed in Mumbai. I invite him to come to Delhi and do the concert. Music has no boundaries.” West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted: “Music has no boundaries. Music is the rhythm of the heart. Ghulam Ali concert can be held in Kolkata.” She added: “We will make all arrangements.”
Delhi minister Kapil Mishra on Thursday said the Pakistani singer was welcome to hold his concert in the national capital. The minister alleged an attempt was being created to vitiate the atmosphere in the country on the basis of religion, caste and boundaries. “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 ( sic),” the minister tweeted.
He said putting restrictions on what one should wear, eat and listen to music was against democracy and there was an urgent need to oppose it. “I feel music, art and culture have no boundaries. Restriction is being imposed on what one should wear, eat, listen to music, and there is a need to raise a voice against it. In democracy, imposing restrictions is wrong,” the Delhi minister said.
Speaking to a TV channel, ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali expressed his
‘ I feel music, art and culture have no boundaries. Restriction is being imposed on what one should wear, eat, listen to music, and there is a need to raise a voice against it,’ Delhi minister Kapil Mishra said
“disappointment” with the cancellation of the concert in Mumbai as this would not only disappoint the public but also because it was a tribute to Jagjit Singh, who was like a brother to him. “This should not be seen as an India- Pakistan issue. Rather it is a symbol of love and affection,” he said.
The AAP condemned the Shiv Sena for issuing threats and said it was “an unspeakable shame” the state government was promoting elements of hate. “The AAP believes this act of the Shiv Sena has shown Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is incapable of leading a state. Why did the organisers visit ( Sena chief) Uddhav Thackeray? Who is the chief minister of the state — Fadnavis or Thackeray?” the party asked.
The AAP added: “The Pakistani singer is an emblem of all that is good in India and Pakistan. He stands for the harmony that exists in our two countries. He spreads the message of peaceful coexistence — ‘ Diwali mein Ali aur Ramzan mein Ram’.”
It said “disturbing elements are flourishing as they have the protection and support of the BJP government”.