The scheduled live performance of Zubin Mehta led orchestra at famous Shalimar Garden in Srinagar on September 7 has turned into a political event. On Monday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah ridiculed separatists and a section of civil society members for opposing India-born Mehta’s performance on the pretext of linking it with Kashmir issue.
On the other hand, veteran secessionist leader Syed Ali Geelani, who was first to raise a hue and cry over the concert, called for a peaceful shutdown on September 7 to protest against holding the event in a “conflict zone”.
Zubin Mehta would lead a hundred performers at a 17th century Mughal garden (Shalimar Bagh) on the banks of Dal lake in presence of selected audience. The performance, sponsored by German Embassy in India, Central and State Governments and a host of other promoters, would be telecast live in India and Europe through special arrangements. Mehta and his crew are arriving here on September 5 in a special plane and elaborate security arrangements have been made for them.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah linked music with Kashmiri traditions and decried projecting Mehta’s concert as something against Kashmiriyat. “Music is part of Kashmiriyat, so projecting the concert as if something was being done against the Kashmiriyat is wrong. Zubin’s concert won’t affect the Kashmir issue,” Abdullah said at the sidelines of an investiture ceremony.
He indicated that the Zubin Mehta show would not have any bearing on the issue of Kashmir. Separatists are saying that Mehta’s show would strengthen India’s claim on Kashmir and weaken the disputed identity of the region.
“If they (separatists) feel that by allowing this concert, the issue of Kashmir would weaken, then I feel either their leadership is weak or the Kashmir issue is weak, because if one music concert would weaken it, then, in that case, there wouldn’t have been an issue in Kashmir,” Abdullah said. He said that the politics should not be mixed with the concert. “This is an initiative by the German Embassy to involve people here in this programme. I feel it is a good thing. I am not opposed to any such shows if they are organised peacefully,” he said.
Omar said that his Government would not oppose a parallel concert Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir (reality of Kashmir) to be organised by Coalition of Civil Society (CCS) in protest against Zubin Mehta’s Ehsas-e-Kashmir (feeling of Kashmir). The CCS has announced to hold the parallel concert after the German Embassy ignored a letter by a group of civil society members highlighting the context of the event.
The members had asked the German Embassy to issue a statement describing Kashmir as a disputed region. Meanwhile, hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani called for a complete shutdown and “civil curfew” on September 7 on the occasion of Zubin Mehta’s performance. He also appealed for peaceful protests after Friday prayers on September 6.
“We want to tell the world that in a place where people mourn the death of their loved ones organising music events is rubbing salt on their wounds,” Geelani said. He said Mehta is promoting Israeli interests in “suppressed regions”. Earlier, chairman of parallel Hurriyat Conference faction Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad also opposed Zubin Mehta’s concert in Kashmir. However, the authorities and the organisers are working extra hours for smooth conduct of the programme. They say that the show would be held despite all adversaries.