'Resolve India-Pakistan issue with love'

Pakistani ghazal artist Ghulam Ali on Thursday (October 8) reacted to the controversy around his Mumbai show, which was cancelled by its organisers yesterday, following threats from Shiv Sena to disrupt it. Ali said that in his career of 40 years, he had not encountered such a situation and was saddened by it. "I am saddened that my fans have been disappointed," he said. Stressing on the importance of peace and love, Ali added that India and Pakistan should "resolve their conflict with love". He also asserted that music was a medium that fostered love. Organisers of the event yesterday announced the cancellation of the October 9 concert after a meeting with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at 'Matoshree', the Thackeray residence in suburban Bandra. The decision was taken despite a snub to Sena by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who said adequate protection would be provided to Ali and that the concert, organised in memory of late ghazal singer Jagjit Singh, would be held according to schedule.