A music event by Pakistani singer- actor Atif Aslam, planned in Pune on April 25, has been cancelled amid opposition by Shiv Sena, which has often resisted cultural events featuring artists from the neighbouring country.
The show by Aslam, who has a sizeable fan following in India, was cancelled after selling over 1,000 tickets, which the organisers said would be refunded to those who bought them.
“We cannot proceed with the show after Shiv Sena opposed it. Late Bal Thackeray has always been an inspiration for us. He used to say that patriotism is above everything else,” show organiser Sanjay Sathe said.
“We belong to the art world. We wanted to do this show. However, the reason for the cancellation is before you,” Sathe said.
“Over a thousand tickets for the show have been sold. People will be refunded the amount,” he said.
According to Sena sources, a former party MLA had written a letter to police expressing strong reservations about the singer from Pakistan being hosted “at a time when the neighbouring country has been indulging in ceasefire violations.”
