Music has no boundaries, but BJP seems to be thinking otherwise. Singer Arijit Singh has landed in fresh controversy as the Bharatiya Janta Party has reportedly added a political angle after his scheduled concert in Kolkata was cancelled by a government body.
The UPA-led government’s Amit Malviya said that the show was cancelled as Arijit Singh sang 'Rang de tu mohe gerua', his famous song in front of chief minister Mamata Banerjee at the inauguration of the Kolkata International Film Festival. Soon, the government clarified that the concert would have clashed with G-20 events.
Arijit Singh’s gesture was seemingly dubbed insensitive as yet another row over a song and the colour saffron, cancellation of singer Arijit Singh's February 18 concert in Kolkata has led to allegations by the BJP that it's a political decision, reported NDTV.
Malviya tweeted, "Sr Bachchan was on dot when he spoke about shrinking space for civil liberties and freedom of expression at the Kolkata Film Festival. Arijit Singh who sang “Rang de tu mohe gerua”, with Mamata Banerjee on the dais now finds his show at EcoPark cancelled by HIDCO, a WB Govt body."
An ANI report quoted West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim sharing that the permission for Arijit Singh’s concert was not granted as the G-20 event is also scheduled at the same area.
"The event marking India's G-20 presidency will take place at the convention hall just opposite the Eco Park (the venue where Arijit Singh's concert was supposed to take place). Several foreign dignitaries are likely to attend that event," Firhad Hakim said, as quoted by the news agency ANI.
"Huge crowds would have gathered for Arijit Singh's show and it would have been difficult to handle. The police felt that conducting such a big event could result in a law and order problem," the minister added.
However, fans did not seem to be happy with the development and one user took to the comments section and wrote, “BJP ko bolo ek mental hospital banaye aur sab waha admission le le.”
Another opined, “Politics is ruining our country.” A third wrote, “DAMN!!! It’s just a COLOUR!!!! Why don’t they focus on real issues!? Vele 🙄”
For those unaware, Arijit Singh’s concert was scheduled to be held on February 18 but now the government body said the show has to be shifted to somewhere else.
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