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  Anup Jalota wants Pakistani artistes to give one half of their pay to martyrs

Anup Jalota wants Pakistani artistes to give one half of their pay to martyrs

Published : Sep 29, 2016, 10:26 pm IST
Updated : Sep 29, 2016, 10:26 pm IST

Ghazal and bhajan maestro Anup Jalota has taken a strong stance against the Uri attacks.

Anup Jalota
 Anup Jalota

Ghazal and bhajan maestro Anup Jalota has taken a strong stance against the Uri attacks. The singer has asked Pakistani artistes to donate one half of their earnings to the families of martyred Indian jawans.

“One-half of whatever they (Pakistani artistes) earn in India will go to the family of our martyred soldiers,” he asserts.

He also refuses to visit Pakistan personally or professionally. “I never sang in Pakistan or did any concerts their as a matter of policy.” Anup explains that he had many opportunities to visit Pakistan, which he declined. “I was invited many times and was even granted the visa, which I still have on my passport page. Why should I go and sing for the country where they run factories for creating terror ” he asks. “After those bomb blasts in Mumbai, I cancelled all my concerts in India and North America that I was to do with Gulam Ali Saab. Bal Thackerayji was very impressed and appreciated my policy. My late wife, Medha, was also very much against the idea of me performing in Pakistan.”

However, says Anup, Pakistanis who love his music are most welcome in India to enjoy it. “They do come to India to listen to me often. Last year, 100 Pakistanis organised my concert in Nagpur and enjoyed my music. But I have no wish to sing and earn money in Pakistan,” he signs off.