Another “Saffron” Song Row, This Time Over Arijit Singh’s Cancelled Concert

In but any other row over a tune and the shade saffron, cancellation of singer Arijit Singh’s February 18 live performance in Kolkata has brought about allegations with the aid of using the BJP that it is a political decision. The Trinamool Congress authorities of West Bengal has denied permission mentioning a G-20 occasion withinside the equal area, however BJP’s Amit Malviya stated it is due to the fact Arijit Singh sang ‘Rang de tu mohey gerua’ — literal translation: ‘Colour me saffron’ — in the front of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a current occasion. He become seemingly alluding to Ms Banerjee disliking his party, the BJP, which pitches saffron because the shade of its ‘Hindu Nationalist’ ideology.

Arijit Singh had sung more than one strains from the tune on the Kolkata International Film Festival as determination to actor Shah Rukh Khan, whose movie ‘Dilwale’ (2015) featured it. He sang different songs, inclulding a Bengali one, too. Amit Malviya, in his tweet, mockingly mentioned a remark with the aid of using actor Amitabh Bachchan, too, at that fest, that “questions are being raised on civil liberties and freedom of expression” withinside the country.

Mr Bachchan’s remarks had been made simply days after a row over Deepika Padukone dancing in a “saffron” bikini with Shah Rukh Khan in a tune from the imminent movie ‘Pathaan’. BJP leaders led boycott calls in opposition to the film, alleging that the “holy shade of Hindus” had been “insulted” withinside the tune ‘Besharam Rang’

Asked why the live performance has been cancelled, nation minister Firhad Hakim stated, “The occasion marking India’s G-20 presidency will take area on the conference corridor simply contrary Eco Park (venue for Arijit Singh’s live performance). Several overseas dignitaries are probable to wait that occasion.”

He added, “Huge crowds might have accumulated for Arijit Singh’s display and it might were tough to handle. The police felt that undertaking this kind of large occasion may want to bring about a regulation and order problem.”