Arijit Singh’s concert in Kolkata gets cancelled; BJP claims singer paid price for singing ‘Gerua’ at KIFF – Times Now

According to BJP, the renowned singer paid the price for performing the popular song ‘Rang De Tu Mohe Gerua’ in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the inaugural ceremony of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF). The renowned film festival was attended by top Bollywood stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Rani Mukherjee, news agency IANS reported.

Amit Malviya, the BJP’s IT cell chief and the party’s observer for West Bengal, sparked the controversy by tweeting that Arijit Singh’s show was cancelled due to his performance of ‘Rang De Tu Mohe Gerua’ at the KIFF inauguration.

Amit Malviya said in a tweet on Wednesday, “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,” the BJP IT cell head added.

Indranil Khan, state president of BJP’s youth wing in West Bengal also slammed the TMC led government for cancelling Arijit Singh’s show at Eco Park. According to IANS, Khan said, “Why has Arijit Singh’s show at Eco Park been cancelled by WB govt body HIDCO? The result of Arijit humming ‘Rang De Tu Mohe Gerua’ in front of ‘Her Excellency’ at KIFF? Intolerance scales new heights.”

However, while speaking to the media, state Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim denied the allegations by BJP. Hakim, who is also the Chairman of HIDCO, stated that the show’s organisers did not submit a formal application to HIDCO for the music concert.

TMC leader Firhad Hakim said, “The organisers only informed the local cops verbally. The show takes place during the New Year’s celebrations, when a large crowd gathers at Eco Park. Furthermore, the timing will coincide with the G20 summit. As a result, the police have asked the organisers to find another location. There is no political motive behind this.”