19, Jan 2016

Naveeta Singh @dna
The Shiv Sena has dubbed NCP legislator Jitendra Awhad’s announcement of inviting Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali to perform at Thane Mahotsav as foolhardy and a gimmick. Issuing a warning, Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik said if Ghulam Ali came to Thane, his party would not let him perform.
Awhad had said that the famous ghazal singer would be in Thane in February to perform at the art festival organised by his NGO Sangharsh Pratishthan. “He has given us oral commitment to perform in Thane,” Awhad had said.
Sticking to his party’s stand, Sarnaik said, “We will not let any Pakistani artist perform in Thane till their government clarifies their stance on terrorist activities on the border.”
Reacting to the Sena warning, Awhad said,”Ghulam Ali is a soft target for the Sena. They could not do anything when Kasuri came and gave a speech as he was surrounded by 100 policemen.” He referred to the launch of Pakistan’s former foreign minister Khursheed Kasuri, who was in Mumbai for his book launch in October 2015. “We will seek security from the Thane police for Ghulam Ali’s performance,” he added.