Home Ministry defers Bismillah Khan's performace

New Delhi, July 27 (UNI) Shehnai legend Bismillah Khan will have to wait for some more time to fulfil his wish of performing at the India Gate here.

The spanner has been thrown by the July 11 terror attacks on the Mumbai rail system.

The maestro was to perform on August nine as his saluations to mark the 75th anniversary of the India Gate and martyrdom of Indian soldiers as also valiant freedom fighters.

But in the wake of the Mumbai blasts and high security alert in the national capital, especially on sensitive government establishments and historical monuments, the Home Ministry yesterday decided that the programme, slated for August nine, would now be held in October.

''The next date will be decided later,'' Bismillah: The Beginning, a nationwide movement to protect famed artistes and organisers of the programme, quoted the Home Ministry as saying.

A senior Home Ministry official said, ''we have discussed the matter with the organisers -- Bismillah: The Beginning -- and suggested them to extend the date of the programme. Since top dignitaries, both national and international, are expected to attend the function, it requires adequate security arrangements. And, at this juncture, we are not in a position to spare such security.'' Minister of State for Home S P Jaiswal said besides VVIPs and VIPs, more than 10,000 people ''are expected to witness the India Gate Salutations in which desire of Bismillah Khan will be fulfilled. It requires proper security arrangements. So we have requested the organisers to extend the date.' The function is being organised for the first time in the post-independent era to pay homage to the immortal warriors and freedom fighters, including Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev who laid down their lives 75 years ago in 1931, the year India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan were built.

''More importantly, it would allow the Shehnai legend to fulfil a lifetime desire,'' said Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha, the couple who has launched Bismillah: The Beginning.

Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, Patron of the organisation, said ''the proposed programme will be historical. All preparations have been completed. It's only a matter of time.'' He also said that the government, especially the Home Ministry, had extended full support and cooperation in this connection. ''Since it relates to national security, we have to follow the instruction of the Home Ministry.'' UNI SKS VA SSC1350