Days after Shiv Sena forced cancellation of Ghulam Ali’s concert in the city Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that his government will ensure foolproof security to the ghazal maes
Days after Shiv Sena forced cancellation of Ghulam Ali’s concert in the city Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that his government will ensure foolproof security to the ghazal maestro if he still wishes to perform here.
Speaking at a conclave on Thursday, Mr Fadnavis said, “We will not hesitate, to put behind bars and prosecute anybody, even somebody from our party or our friends (Sena) who breaks the law. When Ghulam Aliji was to perform in Mumbai, we had announced full security for him. But before we could formally communicate with them, they decided to back out.”
In a thinly-veiled attack on Sena, Mr Fadnavis said it was wrong to relate the ghazal exponent to any religion or country because he was an artiste. “The last time the event did not happen because organisers backed out. But, if Ghulam Aliji wants to perform again in Mumbai or Maharashtra, we will ensure foolproof security for him,” he said.
Despite being assured of security by the chief minister, the organiser had cancelled the concert scheduled to take place at Shanmukhananda Hall, Matunga, on October 9 in memory of late ghazal singer Jagjit Singh.
Mr Fadnavis pointed out that the Maharashtra government’s decision to provide security for Khurshid Kasturi’s book launch should not be construed as endorsing his views. “It is not that we are giving him security because we endorse his views. However, despite all opposition, we had to provide him security as it was our Raj Dharma. Despite threats, we managed to get his book launch done without any security problems,” he said.
On the BJP’s recent standoffs with the Sena, Mr Fadnavis said both were different parties with different views but as a government, there were no split decisions taken. “Both parties are part of the state cabinet. But, we have never taken split decisions. We are always together. National media misunderstood comments made in Marathi. Thus, talks of rifts crop up. As far as the government is concerned, we are working without any problems,” he said.
