Aam Aadmi Party condemns Shiv Sena’s cultural terrorism

Press Release 11 October 2015

The Aam Aadmi Party feels the time has come for Mumbaikers to stand against Shiv Sena’s goondaism. The city faced the ignominy of the cancellation of legendary singer Ghulam Ali’s show due to the threats of the Shiv Sena.

These same goons have now the threatened a book launch. The Observer Research Foundation, along with Nehru Centre and Penguin Books India, has organized a book launch event at the Nehru Centre in Worli on Monday. The book, titledNeither a Hawk nor a Dove: An Insider’s Account of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy is written by Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, the ex foreign minister of Pakistan.

Preeti Sharma Menon of the AAP has reached out to the organizers and offered them AAP’s support. She has spoken to Sudheendra Kulkarni, Chairperson of ORF, urging him to not succumb to the threats. She will be attending the launch tomorrow and requests all Mumbaikers to attend the event in order to uphold our freedom of speech.

Shiv Sena cannot decide what Mumbaikers, or Indians will hear or read. They cannot be allowed to dictate the policy between India and Pakistan. India Pakistan issues are very sensitive and Kashmir is an emotional issue for all Indians, and they deserve serious, cogent debate. Solutions cannot be arrived at through threats and diktats.

It is a shame the Chief Minister of Maharashtra was unable to inspire confidence in organizers of the Ghulam Ali concert. It is now up to the citizens to give artists, performers and writers the confidence that city will not fail them.