Music is one again making the headlines in Kashmir over conflicting ideologies. As authorities are busy sprucing up the famous Shalimar Bagh to host music maestro Zubin Mehta’s concert on September 7, separatist leaders have join-ed the chorus to denounce the event.
They find it an “effort to internationally legitimise Indian rule on Kashmir”. Hardliner Syed Ali Geelani asked German authorities to call off the event. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq suggested setting up a German-Kashmiri hospital instead, with the money proposed to be spent on the event.
Internationally-acclaimed Mehta will conduct a team of 100 musicians in front of a select gathering at the bewitching Mughal heritage garden, overlooking the famed Dal lake.
The show will be broadcasted live by Doordarshan and the European Broadcasting Union. The German Embassy in Delhi, in collaboration with Central and State Governments, will host Ehsas-e-Kashmir.
Mehta, who has visited Kashmir in 1974, has shown keen interest in showcasing the power of music in the strife-torn Valley. German Ambassador Michael Steiner too has worked hard on organising the show. Steiner visited the Valley seven times this year and has been instrumental in mellowing advisories to his countrymen on visiting the State.
“We want to reach out to the people of Kashmir through this concert, with a message of hope and encouragement,” Steiner said. “It is more about an effort from one part of the civil society to reach out to another part and an attempt to connect with the people,” he added.
On the other hand, the separatists are not convinced. Geelani was the first to appeal to the German Embassy to call off the event. He said such events cannot be held in a disputed region.
On Monday, Mirwaiz, head of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat, opined, “We are not against cultural promotion but Zubin Mehta’s show has political connotations. Such event can’t be held in a region where a conflict if raging and political settlement is awaited.”
“Instead of spending a huge chunk of money on this event, it would be better if it is utilised for healthcare and education of the down-trodden in this conflict zone,” Mirwaiz added. He proposed to set up a German-Kashmiri hospital.
While music has social acceptability in Kashmir, organising such events has created ripples many times, due to religious and political ramifications. Earlier this year, Kashmir’s self-proclaimed Grand Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad issued a decree banning all-women musical band Pragaash, which decided to wind up after the controversy. In 2008, some separatist groups denounced arrival of Pakistani rock band Junoon, which performed on the lawns of a hotel on the banks of Dal lake.