Sena opposition forces cancellation of Pak singer Atif Aslam's Pune concert

Pakistani singer Atif Aslam's concert in Pune on April 25 has been cancelled after strong opposition from the Shiv Sena.

The party said it was opposed to performances by any Pakistani artiste.

“The neighbouring country is sending terrorists to India, blasting bombs, attacking our Parliament, then how do we welcome their artistes,” a Sena leader told reporters.

Sanjay Sathe, the organiser of the event told NDTV, "We are from the field of arts, we wanted to do it, but then the intention behind the cancelation is totally appropriate. So we shall always remain patriotic. As Balasaheb has said 'Be patriotic and put the nation first', and thereby, at the larger level we had to cancel the show."

The Sena had even earlier opposed performances by Pakistani artistes like singer Gulam Ali and the Meekal Hasan Band. The party had protested against the inclusion of Pakistani television host and cross-dresser Begum Nawazish Ali and actor Veena Malik in the Big Boss show in 2010.

The Shiv Sena has always opposed the performance of Pakistani artists in India over its ceasefire violations along the Line of Control.

Organisers said that over 1000 tickets had been sold, which would be refunded.