Ghulam Ali’s Mumbai Concert cancelled once again

Pakistani Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, on coming Friday, had a show scheduled in Mumbai at a club on Andheri. However, the concert has been cancelled, thanks to Shivsena protesting the singer’s performance in the city. “The event was going to happen on Friday at The Club in Andheri but now it is not happening. It has been cancelled,”- said Suhaib Ilyasi, TV personality & filmmaker. Illyasi’s film ‘Ghar Wapsi’s music launch was supposed to be graced by Ali’s presence. This is the second time that the singer won’t be allowed to perform in the city.

“No reason was given. It is unfortunate that this incident is happening. Even Ghulam Ali sahib is aware of this and he is feeling sad about this”- Illyasi said. He also claimed that a few policemen had joined the Shivsena gang as well.

On the other hand, Akshay Badrapurkar from Chitrapat (Shiv Sena’s film wing) said it was the party’s stand to protest Pakistani artistes. We had not threatened anyone but we are against Pakistanis coming here and we will protest in our own way. We will do whatever we can, in a democratic way as far as possible, to ensure these artistes don’t perform here”- he said.

“On January 29, we are releasing the music of our film. We want him to have a secure and peaceful stay while he is Mumbai. We have requested the Mumbai Police and the State Government to provide protection for the same. In October last year, his concerts (in Mumbai and Pune) were cancelled due to a threat by Shiv Sena. The reason they gave was the tension prevailing between India and Pakistan,”- stated Ilyasi. He also stated that he was hopeful about bringing Ghulam Ali after arranging additional security for him.

Ilyasi’s film, as stated by him, is about the intolerance in the country.

Also Read: GHULAM ALI – INTOLERANCE IN ANY FORM NOT GOOD FOR INDIA OR PAKISTAN

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.