The anti-Pakistan sentiment after Uri attacks has inadvertently resulted in a comical situation. The Bajrang Dal wrote to the organisers of a show in which Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali was to perform, but perhaps a little too late.
In a letter to the Adugodi Police Station Inspector, the Bajrang Dal asked the police to cancel the event at Forum Mall in Koramangala on September 30, calling the invitation to a Pakistani singer as a “anti-national” activity.
Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali was supposed to perform at a concert organised by Radio Mirchi, Entertainment Network India Ltd., at Forum.
Head of Activation at Radio Mirchi, Vidyut K told The News Minute that the company withdrew the event on September 20.
“We had planned this concert two months ago. We wanted Ali to perform because he is a well-known singer. By cancelling we lost some money as it had already spent on promotions and other arrangements. Some tickets were also booked through BookMyShow. The ticket money was reimbursed after the concert was cancelled,” he said.
Suryanaraya Rao of the Bajrang Dal told The News Minute that when they made their representation to the police, they did not know that the event had been cancelled. “We did not know. Even the police did not tell us anything. On Wednesday afternoon, we learned that it had been cancelled,” Surayanarayana said.
After the attack, there have been debates on whether India should continue to allow Pakistani artists to perform in the country. Pakistani actor Fawad Khan reportedly left India and returned to Pakistan after threats from party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).