Shiv Sena erred in opposing Ghulam Ali show
It is extremely unfortunate that legendary Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali's performance in Mumbai had to be called off due to protests from the Shiv Sena. There are many reasons why the Shiv Sena's threat of disruption in case the event happened, was unjustified. The first is that Ghulam Ali's performance was to be a tribute to the Indian ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh. By ensuring the cancellation of the show, the Shiv Sena has actually defiled the memory of one of the country's greatest ghazal singers. The second is that the Pakistani artiste is no hate-India figure. On the contrary, he has been an admirer of the country and its people who have given him enormous respect, love and affection during his innumerable shows here. It may be recalled that only months ago, Ghulam Ali had performed in Varanasi, in the main courtyard of the famous Sankat Mochan Temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the singer's self-confessed fan, had registered his disappointment over not having been able to attend the concert. The Shiv Sena's argument that no Pakistani singer will be allowed to perform in Mumbai, or Maharashtra, until Pakistan stops promoting terror against India, is good for rhetoric and it may appeal to the lowest common denominator. But those like Ghulam Ali are agents of peace, and there is nothing better he would like than friendly relations between India and Pakistan. It is unfair to drag such people into bilateral disputes. At times, they can even manage a thaw. It has been reported in the media that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had once given the phone to legendary actor Dilip Kumar so that the latter could speak to Mr Nawaz Sharif and request him to de-escalate the Kargil crisis. Mr Sharif was pleasantly surprised to hear the voice of an actor whom he greatly admired and loved. Of course, the Shiv Sena's irrational action does not mean an end to Ghulam Ali's performances in Mumbai; hopefully he will regale the audience there sooner than later. But for now, the incident has a left a bad taste in the mouth.
At a political level, the developments which led to the cancellation are bizarre. The Shiv Sena is part of the coalition Government headed by a Chief Minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had thrown his weight behind the concert and had assured the organisers of full security. Given his stance, it must be assumed that the official position of the state regime was in favour of the event. And yet, if the organisers felt compelled to call off the show, it was because they were worried about the hooliganism that the opponents could indulge in, had the show to be held. This is not the first time since the coalition Government was formed in Maharashtra that the Shiv Sena has locked horns with the BJP. It has confronted the national party on a number of issues, causing deep embarrassment and providing an occasion to political rivals to take digs at the ruling coalition and the BJP in particular. The Shiv Sena, often through its mouthpiece, Saamana, has not spared Prime Minister Modi too. The party has still to digest the fact that it is a junior partner in the Government. In its desperation, it has taken to opposing even a regime in which it is a partner — both at the Centre and in the State.