Don't mix personal sentiment with nation's honour: Fadnavis

Mumbai, Oct 30: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, Oct 30 reiterated his displeasure with the manner in which Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali's concert was cancelled in the city and said a line needs to be drawn between personal sentiment and nation's honour.

Without naming the Shiv Sena, Fadnavis said that banning performances of artistes of any country is not what a civil society expects from the government. "Artistes have no geographical boundaries.

For instance, a patriot that (singing legend) Lata Mangeshkar is, is highly respected in Pakistan as well.If a person has been given a valid visa to enter our country, giving the person security is our responsibility.

If we don't do that, we will be called a Banana republic," the CM said while speaking at the 'IBN Lokmat' Conclave here referring to the cancellation of the ghazal maestro's event here.

Fadnavis said that though Ghulam Ali is a citizen of Pakistan, he has never made any anti-India statements nor has he ever done anything to harm India's interests. "How can we ban his performance then ? Banning performances is not what a civil society expects from us. There should be a distinction between personal sentiments and honour of the nation," he said.

Claiming that Indians have strong sentiments against Pakistan, Fadnavis said, "Pakistan's discreet agenda against us....they sending terror elements into our country makes them an enemy of India."

Yesterday, Fadnavis had virtually extended an invitation to the Pakistani artiste saying that "last time the event did not happen because the organisers backed out. But if Ghulam Ali ji wants to perform again in Mumbai or Maharashtra, we will ensure foolproof security for him."

PTI