Ghulam Ali accepts Delhi govt's invite to perform in the city

The Pakistani singer said that he will be coming to Delhi in December

Ghulam Ali (Photo: Wikipedia)
Ghulam Ali (Photo: Wikipedia)
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Oct 09 2015 | 12:38 PM IST
Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali has accepted Delhi Government's invitation to perform in the national capital in December, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said today, amid a row over cancellation of his events in Mumbai and Pune in the face of threats by the Shiv Sena.

The Delhi Chief Minister talked to the celebrated ghazal singer over phone this morning and invited him to perform in the capital.

"Ghulam Ali Sahib, we are very big fan of yours. It was good talking to you now. Thanks for agreeing to do a program in Delhi in Dec," Kejriwal wrote on Twitter.

Also Read

Later, Ali said that he will be coming to Delhi in December, adding that he will go "wherever people invite me with love".

"Yes I have accepted the invitation and most probably I will be coming in December. I have always said that I will go wherever people invite me with love. I have been coming to India for the past 40 years. So, yes I am happy," Ali told PTI just before leaving India.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra met the Pakistani singer in New Delhi after which the Chief Minister spoke to him over phone.

Yesterday, the governments of West Bengal and Delhi had offered to host Ali's concert, saying music and culture have "no boundaries", after two events were cancelled in Mumbai and Pune in the face of threats by the Shiv Sena.

"Music has no boundaries. Music is the rhythm of the heart. Ghulam Ali concert can be held in Kolkata," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had tweeted.

"We will make all arrangements(for the concert)," she added.

In Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government while inviting Ghulam Ali to perform in the city had yesterday said that "music, art and culture have no boundaries".

Culture Minister Kapil Mishra, who is also Tourism Minister in the Arvind Kejriwal government, had said the Pakistani singer was welcome to hold his concert here.

The minister alleged that an attempt is being created to "vitiate" the atmosphere in the country on the basis of religion, caste and boundaries.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Oct 09 2015 | 12:22 PM IST

Next Story