Shiv Sena tears banner of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's concert

Ahmedabad, April 25: Continuing its opposition to Pakistani artists performing in the country, Shiv Sena workers today tore an advertisement banner of singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's concert, scheduled to be held here on April 30.

Around 20 activists of the local Sena outfit first tore apart a large banner near the Shahibaug under-bridge and also defaced another banner with black colour at RTO circle, local Shiv Sena leader Jitu Solanki said.

"Pakistani singers are making money when Indian soldiers and citizens are getting killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists," he alleged.

"One one side, Pakistan sponsored terrorists are taking lives of innocent Indians, while on the other hand, these Pakistani singers are coming here to make money. "We can not allow such commercial activity by them.

We want to tell them that Gujarat's doors are closed for them" he said. Solanki warned that the workers will stage protest against Khan when he lands in the city for the concert. "We will also stage protests against Khan when he lands in the city for the concert.

Today's protests were just a warning, as we may go to extremes to stop him from performing in the city," Solanki, who was leading the workers, said.

Though there is no official word from the organisers after today's developments, but a ticket booking clerk said that several vendors associated with the event are calling up the office out of anxiety. "The booking for the show is going on at present.

As of now, the concert is scheduled to be held as per earlier announcement. However, some vendors called up the office since morning, as they might have got worried after today's development," the booking clerk said.

Earlier on April 22, Shiv Sena members staged protests against Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali, who came to collect an award at Mahuva town of Bhavnagar district. No police complaint has been filed in this regard so far.

PTI