Shiv Sena's UP chief under house arrest ahead of Ghulam Ali's concert in Lucknow

Lucknow: Ahead of Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali's concert in Lucknow, Shiv Sena's UP Chief Anil Singh has been put under house arrest but the latter has asserted that protests against the singer will be carried out in the city.

"Our soldiers are dying and the UP Government wants to rolls a red carpet for Ghulam Ali. On one hand our artists are not being given a visa by Pakistan and on the other hand we are welcoming their artists. That too artists who belong to a terrorist nation, a nation from which we should sever all ties," Singh told ANI here.

Accusing the UP Government of 'hurting' the sentiments of the Hindu community, he added that the Shiv Sena will not tolerate this 'betrayal' and will prevent the concert from being performed at any cost.

"Earlier also, I had notified the state government that there was no need for such an event. Why do we need a Pakistani artist in our country right now especially when the situation is so tense already? If you want a Muslim artist then we already have plenty in the nation. They can house arrest me or crucify me but we will continue with our protests," Singh added.

He also claimed that his 'constitutional right' to protest was being denied to him and warned that the state government will face the consequences in the 2017 elections.

Earlier today, Ghulam Ali arrived in Lucknow to perform on the culminating day of the Lucknow Mahotsava.