Shame Mumbai! Cops force Pakistani band to call off concert

A performance by the Pakistani band Sachal Jazz in Mumbai was called off at the last moment after the city police denied the artistes permission to play at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA). According to Times of India reports, the three UK citizens in the band were given approval by the police to perform in the city, but the permissions to the Pakistanis were held up. [caption id=“attachment_1830891” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Pakistani band Sachal Jazz[/caption] The Lahore-based band consists of three British citizens and seven Pakistanis. A 1,000 strong crowd that had gathered to hear the internationally renowned band was left deeply disappointed with the last minute cancellation. What is strange is that the band had earlier performed in Delhi and Pune without any trouble. So, what happened in Mumbai? Police sources told ToI that the department sat on the application from the band to perform in the city in the wake of the current India-Pakistan tensions. Social media, of course, wasn’t too happy about it:

#Pakistani band's concert called off last min! Its a shame! Do not mix music & politics! Things havnt changed much! #Sachal #Jazz #Mumbai

— Shashank Upadhyay (@Heyshash) December 2, 2014

Mumbai police shut down Sachal Jazz Ensemble concert. What a farce! Bureaucracy needs serious attention. @SamaArtsNetwork

— AsianMusicPublishing (@AsianMusicPub) December 2, 2014

But, this is not the first time Mumbai has treated a music band like this. In February this year, a group of of 50 workers from Shiv Sena barged into a press conference being held by Pakistani band Mekaal Hasan in Mumbai, demanding that the musicians return immediately to their country. The band, which plays Sufi rock, was scheduled to announce a joint concert with Indian performers at the city’s Press Club.