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| Salahudin hates music as ‘Junoon’ set to perform before Indian Prez | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | May 23
Chain Ik Pal Nahin, Aur Koi Hal Nahi…these are the heart rendering lines from popular Pakistan rock band Junoon which is all set to perform on the banks of picturesque Dal Lake but ironically the chief militant Syed Salahudin does not like this music or poetry.
The Sufi rock band which transcends all borders and barriers will be in Srinagar tomorrow and will perform in the lawns of Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the banks on Sunday afternoon. Even though the Junoon group has performed in Valley earlier also, the band’s coming to Srinagar on this special occasion in honour of the visiting Indian President symbolizes a strong urge for mutual cooperation between India and Pakistan. This is, however, has not gone well with the militant leadership which has strongly opposed the performance.
The band comprising guitarist-cum-lyricist Salman Ahmad and vocalist Ali Azmat Brian O'Connell will arrive in the valley tomorrow. SAF has dedicated the concert for peace in the border state, he said. Though, Pakistani singers have performed in the valley in the past, this is for the first time that a rock band does a live performance, the official said, adding that the band has a hug fan following among the youth in the valley.
The United Jihad Council (UJC), the Muzaffarabad-based ISI sponsored group of extremist organizations, has reportedly urged the Pakistan government to ensure that Pakistani rock group Junoon does not perform in Srinagar on Sunday in the honour of President Pratibha Patil.
The UJC, headed by Syed Salahuddin, said the performance by the Pakistani music group would send a wrong message to the international community that Kashmir was an integral part of India , which can hold any international event in Kashmir , which according to the Council, was a disputed territory.
Pakistan should not let any of its cultural groups, such as Junoon, to perform in the disputed territory of Kashmir where any national or international activity amounts to open violation of international laws, the Dawn quoted Salahuddin as saying in Muzaffarabad last evening.
He added: The performance by a Pakistani singing group will send a very wrong message to Kashmiris and give an opportunity to India to give an impression to the international community that Kashmir is its integral part and it can invite any world leader and hold functions there.
The UJC Chairman further said that Kashmiris were already facing an onslaught of Indian culture and when they see Pakistani boys and girls singing and dancing before Indians, their expectations from Pakistan will be dashed.
Pakistan s rulers should stop India from holding any international or regional event in Kashmir, he said and also called upon Kashmiris to observe a strike on Saturday, the day the Indian president arrives in Srinagar on her maiden visit.
The rock band is scheduled to hold a concert on Sunday on the bank of the Dal Lake . Besides the Indian President, a host of dignitaries from member nations of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation would also be attending the concert.
The concert is part of celebrations marking the inauguration by Pratibha Patil of the Kashmir Studies Institute at Kashmir University , which has been sponsored by the Indian chapter of the South Asia Foundation in collaboration with the university. |
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