J-K govt should go ahead with Zubin Mehta concert: Azad

Despite calls in certain quarters for it to be cancelled, Jammu and Kashmir government should go ahead with the planned cultural event in the state which is to feature internationally-acclaimed music conductor Zubin Mehta, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here today.
"They (the government) should not be cowed down by any section of society or its leadership," Azad said on the sidelines of a one-day convention of state Congress members.
"The government should go ahead with the programme once it has been decided," he said, talking about the programme scheduled to be held in Srinagar on Sept. 7.

"National and international personalities are taking part in this concert and the organisers should not be cowed down," he said.
Several separatist leaders, including Moderate Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Omer Farooq and hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani, had objected to the cultural show which is to be organised by the German Embassy at Shalimar Garden in Srinagar.