LoC tensions: Pakistani performers shown the door

Right-wing Indian party Shiv Sena forces organisers to cancel an event which was due to take place on Saturday.


Our Correspondent January 16, 2013
Ali Zafar was tight-lipped on Tuesday after being told he won’t be performing at a musical festival in the Indian city of Pune. PHOTO: FILE

NEW DELHI:


Pakistani artist and rising Bollywood star Ali Zafar was tight-lipped on Tuesday after being told he won’t be performing at a musical festival in the Indian city of Pune – this cancellation is the latest cultural casualty of tensions between Pakistan and India along the Line of Control (LoC).


Right-wing Indian party Shiv Sena forced organisers to cancel the event which was due to take place on Saturday. The move was followed by the scrapping of a series of events featuring Pakistanis.

Another casualty was Pakistani classical singer Javed Bashir, who had performed in Delhi on Sunday along with the Mekaal Hasan band. After his Monday performance was cancelled, Bashir was quoted by The Times of India as saying, “It’s sad to note that shows are being cancelled due to security issues.”

The news from Mumbai is just as bad. The Mumbai Magicians hockey team, which has four Pakistani players, was asked to send them back in the interest of their own safety.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2013.

COMMENTS (73)

javaid bashir | 11 years ago | Reply

THE performers from Pakistan Ali Zafar and Javed Bashir were shown Bashir were axed to perform the concer aeter LOC tense situation. India has shown no consideration to the services of these artistes. The bias and prejudice exist against Pakistani artistes. They forget the serice in a second. This does not boost the Image of India. Both the artistes have expressed thir grief over this action.The performers love respectfor their work and performing before the public is always good for them. Their feelings and pocket has been hurt with this decision. The question is at wdhat cost these artists are willing to go toIndia for performing there. Is it worth to be treated in such a way.

They must consider this attitude Of India, before making such decision.

Javaid Bashir Lahore

PakistaniMusic | 11 years ago | Reply

@Karim Javed Which Pakistani Singing are you talking about ? All your music is based on classical ragas. Did it come from Saudi Arabia or Mughal Uzbeks or Turks ? Who gave you the culture of music ? If you don't know , then go and read the origin of Ragas which your convert ustad's sing day and night......

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