The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have issued a joint letter to the Bengaluru Police, requesting it to not allow Pakistan singer Shafqat Amanat Ali to perform in the city on September 30, reported ANI. In the letter submitted to the police on Tuesday, the two outfits said that they want the concert to be called off.
This is the latest in a string of threats issued to Pakistani artists in the wake of the September 18 militant attack on an Indian Army base camp in Uri that left 18 soldiers dead. India has blamed Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad for orchestrating the strike. On September 23, the film wing of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena issued a deadline to all artists from Pakistan to leave India within 48 hours.
The same day, singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya had criticised Bollywood filmmakers for what he referred to as "breeding and feeding" Pakistani actors. He launched a scathing attack on directors and producers who have worked with Pakistani artists and singled out a few big names in the industry, like Karan Johar and Mahesh Bhatt.
In September last year, ghazal singer Ghulam Ali was forced to cancel his performance in Mumbai after the Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt his concert.
The letter reads:
On September 18, Pakistani military supported terrorists inhumanly killed Indian soldiers. While Pakistan is a terrorist state feeding terrorism, Forum Mall organising this Pakistani singer's programme is an insult to patriotism and the sacrifices of the soldiers and their families.
We are asking for this treasonous (desdroha) programme to be stopped at once and to heed the cry of patriots (deshbhakts).
Please consider this issue seriously. If this progamme is not banned there will be a fierce protest.
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