Geelani objects to Zubin’s concert

The chairman of the hard-line faction of Hurriyat,Syed Ali Shah Geelani,has asked the German authorities to reconsider their decision of conducting a music concert by the renowned Mumbai-born musician Zubin Mehta in Kashmir. Mehta is scheduled to perform at Srinagar’s Mughal Garden on September 7.

The separatist leader said any such sort of activity will have an adverse effect on the “disputed nature” of Jammu and Kashmir. “In 1983,we had also opposed the one-day cricket match between India and West Indies as these events can be used to change the disputed nature of Kashmir,” Geelani said.

He said it would be highly “irresponsible” for Germany,a member of the European Union,to organise such an event. German ambassador Michael Steiner had earlier said that he was confident that the event would be held in the Valley without any hindrance.