Ghulam Ali’s concert in India cancelled again amid Shiv Sena protests

MUMBAI: Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali’s concert in Mumbai was cancelled a second time, after Shiv Sena threatened to protest during his performance.
Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali’s concert in Mumbai was once again disrupted by protests from Indian extremist group Shiv Sena. According to details, Ghulam Ali was scheduled to perform at an event in Andheri for the upcoming movie Ghar Wapsi, for which he has not only sung a patriotic song but also acted in.
“The event was going to happen this Friday at ‘The Club’ in Andheri but now it is not happening. It has been cancelled,” said filmmaker Suhaib Ilyasi. Ilyasi further revealed that a person from their organising committee had gone to ‘The Club’ in order to deposit a certain amount but he was told curtly that ‘there was no booking’. According to Ilyasi, Ghulam Ali was also disappointed regarding the news.
“No reason was given. It is unfortunate that this incident is happening. Even Ghulam Ali sahab is aware of this and he is feeling sad about this,” said Ilyasi.
Ilyasi did, however, place blame on Shiv Sena activists and local police by stating that they had threatened local organisers as well. However, a Shiv Sena leader said everyone was aware regarding their stance for Pakistani artists and said they had not threatened anyone. “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. – MD