Separatists call for shutdown over Zubin Mehta concert

Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani Monday called for a complete shutdown in the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir Sep 7 to protest the scheduled Zubin Mehta concert in the state capital.

Geelani also called for a shutdown in Chenab valley region of Jammu.

The 90-minute concert would be telecast live in over 50 countries. Zubin Mehta is scheduled to arrive in a special plane along with his 100-member orchestra Sep 5.

In a statement, Geelani said imams (clerics) of various mosques should lead the post-prayer protests Sep 6 against the holding of the concert in Kashmir.

"On September 7, people should close all businesses and stay indoors as a mark of protest against the holding of the musical programme in Srinagar," he said.

Geelani and other separatist leaders have already issued statements against the concert, saying they are not against the cultural event as such, but holding of an international event like the Zubin Mehta concert tends to consolidate Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir.

Authorities have already made elaborate arrangements for the concert and over 1,500 invitees, including 700 from outside the state, are likely to attend the event.

The Shalimar Garden, the venue of the concert, is a 17th century garden laid by Mughal emperor Jahangir. The emperor used the garden as his summer residence during his stay in Kashmir with his queen Nur Jahan.