Coldplay’s Mumbai Concert is one of the most anticipated events on Mumbai’s cultural calendar. But it seems like British band Coldplay’s concert in the city could be in jeopardy. While the tickets to the event have been sold for the Global Citizen NGO’s Event in Mumbai, Funds raised from the concert are directed towards charity.
Coldplay’s Mumbai Concert is part of the Global Citizen Festival that is scheduled for 19 November, the line-up also includes rap mogul Jay-Z, Bollywood stars like Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, Katrina Kaif etc.
However, the flames of politics have also taken this event in its cover either. As the opposition parties in Maharashtra have alleged that the BJP-led state government was trying to derive political mileage ahead of local civic polls from the Coldplay concert.
Congress Mumbai unit president Sanjay Nirupam called upon state election commissioner JS Saharia and demanded that the concert either be postponed in the view of the election code of conduct being in force or given permission after the poll process is completed. Nirupam’s contention is that the state government is a strategic partner in the event, which has Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a special guest and is to be held at the MMRDA grounds.
What Sanjay Nirupam said to delay the Coldplay’s Mumbai Concert?
Nirupam stated in his representation to the state election commissioner, “The election code of conduct is in force in most of the state as polls to Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats will be held in four phases starting later this month. The government is an active participant and has invested in the event. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued invitations for the event and the Global Citizen India website also mentions Maharashtra government as a strategic partner.”
However, an Indian Express report pointed out that while a code of conduct has been imposed across Maharashtra as elections to 212 local bodies are underway, the restrictions are not applicable in Mumbai, where the civic elections are scheduled for early next year.
The Asian Age reported in its edition dated 4 November that Global Citizen will have to pay only Rs 2 crore as rent for setting up the stage for the concert instead of the usual rate of Rs 8 crore. Organisers of events that are meant to raise social awareness are eligible for a 70 percent discount on rent/related charges.
The Age quoted Niranjan Shetty, chief spokesperson for BJP Mumbai as saying: “The Congress has no important issue to raise hence such futile attempts are being made by them. It’s foolish to think that a music concert can influence voters.”
Global Citizen has not issued a statement about the objections raised to the Coldplay concert so far.
