This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

Singer Abhijeet Calls Ghulam Ali A 'Dengue Artist From Terrorist Country'

Singer Abhijeet Calls Ghulam Ali A 'Dengue Artist From Terrorist Country'
Abhijeet Bhattacharya. (Photo by: IndiaPictures/UIG via Getty Images)
IndiaPictures via Getty Images
Abhijeet Bhattacharya. (Photo by: IndiaPictures/UIG via Getty Images)

NEW DELHI -- The controversy surrounding the cancellation of Chupke Chupke Raat Din singer Ghulam Ali's Mumbai show doesn't seem like it is going to die down soon.

Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya on Friday, in a series of shocking tweets, supported the ban of Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali from performing in Mumbai, saying that "nation and patriotism" took priority over music and branded the maestro as a "dengue artist".

In his tweets, Bhattacharya claimed that the cancellation of Ali's concerts was in fact a matter of national respect.

"These shameless people have no self respect, no work except terrorism. So called Hindu political parties jst shout 4 mileage bt never tk action agnst these Dengu Artists from terrorist country.These qawwals don't come here on their merit but due to paki Dalals #prestitute and @MaheshNBhatt (sic)," Bhattacharya tweeted.

These qawwals don't come here on their marit but due to paki Dalals #prestitute and @MaheshNBhatt

β€” abhijeet (@abhijeetsinger) October 8, 2015

While the singer's remarks sent shockwaves in the political as well as the cultural circles, he was fully backed by the Shiv Sena, who said that they "welcomed his statement as he spoke for the nation."

The Shiv Sena earlier this week on Wednesday had threatened to disrupt Ghulam Ali's proposed live concerts in Mumbai and Pune, if it were not cancelled.

But despite Shiv Sena's intentions and threats, the Delhi government as well as West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee extended invitations to the renowned ghazal singer to perform in their states.

Indian artists like actor Shabana Azmi, designer Wendell Rodricks and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt expressed their displeasure towards the maestro's ban saying that music knew no boundaries, while Pakistan's censor board chief hoped that the Indian government will handle the issue "responsibly".

For Bhattacharya, however, this is not the first time he has stalked controversy.

When Salman Khan was being tried for a hit-and-run case a few months ago, Bhattacharya had said that it was the homeless peoples' fault that they were sleeping on the pavement and hence were allegedly killed by Khan's car, according to The Indian Express report.

Aa jao .. Inki ..to..beep. Ko ..beep Hain.. Humari political parties sirf bhokti hain https://t.co/Eo16ggGsv9

β€” abhijeet (@abhijeetsinger) October 8, 2015

Shut up.. Shaadi ke qwalon ko humne sar pe chadhaya ..wait jis din tum hawala singers ko asli padegi .. My foot https://t.co/tZkpQ2sdEg

β€” abhijeet (@abhijeetsinger) October 8, 2015

So called Hindu political parties jst shout 4 mileage bt never tk action agnst these Dengu Artists from terrorist country

β€” abhijeet (@abhijeetsinger) October 8, 2015

Nation and patriotism 1st .. Gana bajana later, #Shameless anti national Indian Media and politicians ..

β€” abhijeet (@abhijeetsinger) October 9, 2015

Feel ashamed, Country of @mangeshkarlata@rafi@Naushad@JagjitSinghG suffers from Hawala artists from terrorist country, antinational media

β€” abhijeet (@abhijeetsinger) October 9, 2015

I m a proud Indian 1st then an artist, Can't bear d pain seeing our Jawans dying every day in borders & terrorism https://t.co/jGW5mQm6Yh

β€” abhijeet (@abhijeetsinger) October 9, 2015

(With inputs from ANI)

Contact HuffPost India

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.