Ghulam Ali shows in Maharashtra cancelled after Shiv Sena threat

MUMBAI: Pakistani ghazal artiste Ghulam Ali’s concert in Mumbai was cancelled on Wednesday night after the Shiv Sena raised objections to the show, citing border skirmishes and killing of Indian soldiers.

The organisers cancelled the show despite Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis promised full security to Ali and the concert, and also called the attempt to drag the singer into the controversy as "improper." But the organisers didn’t want to take a chance in the face of the threat.

Randhir Roy of Panache Media, that was organising the event, held a meeting with Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at the Mumbai Mayor's bungalow, trying to talk Sena out of the protest, but it didn’t work.

Earlier in the day, the film wing of Sena, Chitrapat Sena, had warned the organisers against hosting the show. "We have opposed Pakistani artistes from performing in India ever since the 26/11 attack. Even now our soldiers are being killed at the borders. We will not allow the concert to happen even if it is a tribute to Jagjit Singh," said Akshay Badrapurkar, secretary of Chitrapat Sena.

Reacting to the development, Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit expressed disappointment and said cultural exchanges are important elements of bilateral ties which his country "encourages".