Yet another cultural disruption in Indo-Pak ties is in the offing with the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Shiv Sena playing party poopers, threatening to obstruct the broadcast and the shoot of the musical reality show ‘ Sur Kshetra ’, a programme by the channel Sahara One to be aired on the entertainment channel, Colors TV.
On Friday, MNS chief Raj Thackeray preferred a blunt warning to Pakistan artists taking part in the show, stating that the MNS would continue opposing performance of artists across the border till Pakistan stopped sponsoring terror strikes against India.
“If anything happens to the shoot despite our warning, then the MNS cadres are not responsible for the occurrence,” he warned.
The cinema wing of the MNS had earlier written to legendary singer Asha Bhosle, urging her not to take part in shows that featured artistes from Pakistan.
Ms. Bhosle, along with Pakistan singer Abida Parveen and Bangladesh singer Runa Laila, are to participate as judges in the show which is set to commence on September 8, which would also feature stalwarts like Ghulam Ali, Hadiqa Kiani and Sajjad Ali from Pakistan.
Ms. Bhosle, on her part stated she was not interested in politics, remarking that she only understood the language of music.
“I don't like politics and don't understand it. I love Raj Thackeray irrespective of what he thinks of me. I love Maharashtra and I am a Maharashtrian,” Ms. Bhosle said, adding that she believed in the motto of ‘ atithi devo bhava ’ (guest is god).
Targeting Ms. Bhosle, Mr. Thackeray caustically remarked whether she would welcome Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab as a guest too.
“While I have great respect for Asha tai , are there not enough artists in the country? Why not develop home-grown talent for such shows?” remarked the MNS chief at a function of his party cadres here.
Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray said the Shiv Sena would not tolerate artists from Pakistan on Indian soil until relations between the two countries were normalised.
Sena cadres also staged a protest outside the World Trade Centre, where an expo from Pakistan was being held.
