Shiv Sena threatens Ghulam Ali's concerts in Maharashtra

The Shiv Sena on Wednesday threatened to disrupt Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali's proposed live concerts in Mumbai and Pune this week.

"We have met and asked authorities at Shanmukhananda Hall, Matunga, to cancel the show proposed to be held on October 9, failing which we shall protest in our own style," Shiv Sena's film wing Chitrapat Sena president Aadesh Bandekar told IANS.

Besides, he said, the party would also protest and stop a similar concert scheduled in Pune on October 10 as part of a tribute to late singer Jagjit Singh on his fourth death anniversary.

Interestingly, both concerts have reported a near total sell-out and have been a topic of much discussion on social media for the past few days.

"We respect the art and artistes of Pakistan. However, we are strongly against any form of cultural association with that country since it regularly kills our soldiers and civilians in attacks from across the borders," Bandekar said.

He said the Chitrapat Sena would not only protest in Mumbai and Pune but wherever Ghulam Ali, 75, performed in the country.

Earlier, the Sena protested against Pakistan singer Atif Aslam's concert and the Pakistan cricket team playing in India.

On Tuesday, the Shiv Sena, through its mouthpiece Saamana, urged the Centre to display guts and attack Pakistan in retaliation to the cross-border attacks on Indian soldiers and civilians.

Coincidentally, the concert in Mumbai is scheduled at the iconic Shanmukhananda Hall, which has also been a favourite venue for all major Shiv Sena functions for several decades.

The tribute to Jagjit Singh has been specially brought to India through 'Ek Ehsaas' concerts which provide a platform to connect people through music.