By India Blooms News Service Dec 30, 2022
Kolkata/IBNS: In yet another controversy over a song and saffron colour, singer Arijit Singhs Feb 18 concert in Kolkatas Eco Park has been cancelled triggering off allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that its a political decision.
The ruling Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal has denied permission citing a G-20 event in the same area.
However, BJPs Amit Malviya said the cancellation happened as Arijit Singh sang Rang de tu mohey gerua, which has a literal translation of Colour me saffron in front of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the inaugural ceremony of Kolkata International Film Festival. (KIFF).
He has also cited actor Amitabh Bachchans speech on civil liberties at the same event to target the Trinamool Congress government in Bengal.
Sr Bachchan was on dot when he spoke about shrinking space for civil liberties and freedom of expression at the Kolkata Film Festival. Arijit Singh who sang Rang de tu mohe gerua, with Mamata Banerjee on the dais now finds his show at EcoPark cancelled by HIDCO, a WB Govt body, Malaviyas tweet read.
Sr Bachchan was on dot when he spoke about shrinking space for civil liberties and freedom of expression at the Kolkata Film Festival. Arijit Singh who sang Rang de tu mohe gerua, with Mamata Banerjee on the dais now finds his show at EcoPark cancelled by HIDCO, a WB Govt body.
Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 28, 2022
The Trinamool has slammed back stating the cancellation of Arijit Singhs concert was a law and order decision and the same is scheduled at Aquatica.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh also said all these happened before Singh sang the Gerua song at KIFFs inaugural ceremony on Dec 15.
LOP is just pathological lier. Arijit sang Gerua on 15/12/22. His proposed prgrm ( and Salmans also) in Eco Park was cancelled or rescheduled 8 days before, deposit refunded, and Team Arijit booked Aquatica before 15th. So how can Gerua be factor? Actually LOP is Gira Hua. https://t.co/1AT71wyORf
Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) December 29, 2022
According to local media reports, Arijit Singhs team visited Aquatica on Thursday to recce the spot for the singers upcoming concert.
This comes after the stir over Deepika Padukones dance number in a saffron bikini with Shah Rukh Khan in a song called Besharam Rang from the upcoming movie Pathaan.
BJP leaders have called for a boycott of the film, alleging that the holy colour of Hindus had been insulted in the song Besharam Rang.