Padma Shri has drawn 'Laxman rekha' for me, want to stay away from politics: folk singer Madhu Mansuri

Folk singer Madhu Mansuri, who made the headlines for attending a cultural programme at an anti-CAA protest the day his name was announced for a Padma Shri, says the honour has drawn a "Laxman rekha" for him and he wants to stay away from all political issues.

The renowned singer from Jharkhand, who was chosen for the government award this year, has dissociated himself from the protest, and said he has full faith in the law and the Constitution.

I can speak on many issues but I don't want to speak. I don't want to be dragged into any controversy. I am an artiste and I want to stay away from political issues, the 71-year-old Mansuri told PTI in an interview over the phone.

Mansuri, who has written and sung several Nagpuri songs for the movement of a separate state of Jharkhand, was present at a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the proposed NRC in Ranchi on January 27.

The artiste, a landless farmer, also crooned his famous song Gaon chhodam nahi, jungle chhodab nahi, mai-maati chhodam nahi, ladai chhodab nahi (will not leave our village, or our forests, not our mother earth and will not give up our fight)" at the event.

I am neutral and apolitical. I have full faith in the law and Constitution of this country. There is no reason for not doing that. Let the law get implemented first, then judge whether it is right or wrong," said the singer-activist.

We want patronage from politicians for our art to prosper but don't want to be a part of politics. Now a 'Laxman rekha' has been drawn after this honour, he said.

So why did he join the cultural programme, "Ek Shaam Samvidhan Ke Naam", held to celebrate constitutional values in support of the anti-CAA protests?