New Delhi:
Punjabi Singer Diljit Dosanjh has been asked by the Federation of Western Cine Employees (FWICE) to cancel his show at the United States on September 21 in the interest, sentiments and dignity of the nation.
The Houston event is being promoted by Rehan Siddiqi, who is of Pakistani origin. The letter, addressed to Diljit, states, ''Your performance for the Pak national will set a wrong precedent in view of the current alarming situation between the two countries.''
"You are a thorough gentleman and a superb artist which is the pride of India. It is, therefore, a humble request top you to cancel your performance for 21st Sept 2019 in America as it will be befitting in the current time", the letter further stated.
"Cancel the visa of singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh who accepted the invitation of a Pakistan National Rehan Siddiqi for a performance in America of September 21" writes Federation of Western India Cine Employees to Ministry of External Affairs: ANI https://t.co/MGMl5kZ9jT pic.twitter.com/yvyXP7HEwh
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) September 11, 2019
FWICE then also issued a press release stating that they are deeply concerned and anguished by various artists as they are 'knowingly' performing in India despite the film bodies strict warnings. "We have also come to know from our reliable sources that actor Saif Ali Khan and singer Shreya Ghoshal, in particular, are giving [performances in America at the behest of Mr. Rehan Siddiqi, a Pakistani national, who is also the promoter of the shows.''
Last month, a performance by famous singer Mika Singh and his troupe at the wedding of a billionaire's daughter on August 8, apparently close to former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharaff, had caused a furore, amid strained ties between the two countries. His videos and pictures from the event faced outrage and angst by his fans in India who have even suggested that he should not come back.
After the social media uproar, FWICE and AICWA banned the artist. The former even went ahead to say that any artist who works with Mika Singh will be banned henceforth. However, after a press conference, Mika Singh publicly apologised to the nation for performing in Pakistan after which the ban was revoked by the film bodies
