Delhi Police did a U-turn on Friday and granted permission for an October 30 concert by Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, a day after denying clearance on grounds of security and law-and-order concerns and triggering a backlash.
In Mumbai, an emailed threat to bomb Diljit’s upcoming concert in the city as well as actor Amitabh Bachchan’s home and mayor Ritu Tawde’s office led to police and security agencies being placed on high alert.
Thursday’s Delhi Police decision had angered fans and rights activists, who asked how the capital’s law-enforcers could profess an inability to secure a cultural event.
Thursday’s Delhi Police decision had also ignited political controversy, with the Aam Aadmi Party alleging the Centre was targeting Diljit for his support to the June-July Jantar Mantar protests and the 2020-21 farmers’ movement.
Sources said the outcry led to a series of meetings between the police bosses and the event’s organisers on Friday. Permission was granted for the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium event after the organisers furnished a revised plan, agreed to strict crowd-management conditions, and promised adequate private security at the venue.
An officer said the organisers had promised to work with the police and other authorities to ensure the safety of the audience while minimising any inconvenience to residents and commuters.
“We have held a cordial and constructive meeting with Delhi Police and presented a detailed security plan addressing the required arrangements,” BookMyShow Live, the organisers of the event, said in a statement.
“We have assured the authorities of full compliance with all applicable security, traffic and crowd-management requirements.”
The Delhi concert will kick off the India leg of Diljit’s Aura World Tour. He is scheduled to perform in Indore on November 15, Ahmedabad on November 21, Mumbai on November 27, Bengaluru on November 29, and Lucknow on December 5. A Chandigarh concert is also planned but the date hasn’t been announced.
Mumbai flurry
Mumbai Police said the threat email, sent to the mayor and marked to deputy mayor Sanjay Ghadi, had warned of a grenade attack on a school on October 31 and threatened to target Bachchan’s Juhu home, Jalsa, between October 31 and November 27.
The email, which allegedly made references to “Khalistan”, also threatened to bomb Diljit’s November 27 concert at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
Law-enforcement authorities are trying to verify the authenticity of the message, trace its origin and identify the sender, an official said.
A search of the mayor’s office at the civic body headquarters did not throw up anything suspicious, he added.
Security and surveillance are being stepped up at all the places mentioned in the email, including the mayor’s office, Mahalaxmi Racecourse and prominent educational institutions across the city, the official added.