Ghazal King Ghulam Ali & the organizers “Panache Media” have cancelled the concerts in Mumbai & Pune after Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt it, warning that no artist from that country will be allowed to perform in the city till terror emanating from across the border is stopped.

The decision was taken despite a snub to Sena by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who said adequate protection would be provided to Ali and that the concert, organised in memory of late ghazal singer Jagjit Singh, would be held according to schedule. Despite this assurance, Shiv Sena’s threat has won the cancellation.

“My government is willing to give full protection to Ali’s concert in Mumbai. The show must go on. It is unfortunate to drag a world-class, renowned ghazal singer into Indo-Pakistan politics… Pakistan artists are always welcome. Our singers and actors also go to Pakistan and perform. We should respect each other’s culture and talent. Why bring politics into culture?” Fadnavis said.

Shiv Sena spokesperson said in the media, “We can’t have cultural ties with Pakistan when they kill our soldiers.”

Organisers of the event had announced the cancellation after a meeting with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.

Shiv Sena’s film indutry arm named the Chitrapat Sena, had submitted a letter to the admin department of the Shanmukhananda Hall, asking them to cancel the function and threatened that if their demand will not be followed, they will launch a protest in ‘Sena style’. On the other hand, an official from Pune’s Ganesh Kala Krida Manch stated, “We have not been contacted by any representatives of Shiv Sena. We have just received a letter from the organisers which states the concert has been cancelled.”

The Arvind Kejriwal Government on Thursday (October 8) invited Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali to perform in the national capital, saying “music has no boundaries”.

Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra said the Pakistani Singer is welcome to come to Delhi for holding a performance. “Sad that #GhulamAli is not being allowed in Mumbai, I invite him to come to Delhi and do the concert. Music has no boundaries. #BanTheBan (sic),” he wrote on Twitter.

“Ghulam Ali’s programme has been cancelled. Neither Ghulam Ali nor any Pakistani artiste will be performing at the October 9 event,” organiser Randhir Roy had said.