Ghulam Ali controversy: Salim Merchant voices support for Pakistani singer

Bollywood music director Salim Merchant today said that Indian music lovers stand by the Pakistani artiste Ghulam Ali, whose Mumbai concert was cancelled after Shiv Sena's objection.
READ: ​Music has no boundaries: Tribute to Ghulam Ali by radio station
"The issue (of Ghulam Ali's concert being cancelled in Maharashtra) is confined to Maharashtra only but the music buffs of our country are with Ghulam Ali," Merchant, who was here to promote his upcoming movie Wedding Pullav, told reporters.
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"I fail to understand why some people say that they won't allow Pakistani artistes to perform in India. Why this chasm exists between politics and music...," he said.
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He dismissed accusations that Pakistani artistes were given pre-eminence in India, while their Indian counterparts get scant respect in the neighbouring country.
The music composer said that Pakistani commoners were fans of Indian film singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi. Likewise, he said that we admire Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hassan and other (Pakistani) singers.
"I haven't performed in Pakistan yet, but God willing, one day I might.
"If somebody remains in his house, many things come to his mind," Merchant said in an veiled attack on singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, who voiced his support for the cancellation.
LISTEN: Songs of Ghulam Ali on Gaana.com
However, he told reporters that it would be better if they ask Abhijeet about his controversial tweet.
WATCH: Pakistani Singer Ghulam Ali Accepts Mamata Banerjee's Invite