Shiv Sena party workers barged into the Mumbai Press Club during the performance by the band and shouted that no Pakistani group or individual will be allowed in Mumbai.

By Vishwas Waghmode

Hitting out at Shiv Sena for a protest against a performance by an Indian-Pakistani band at the Mumbai Press Club, one of the organizers Jatin Desai said that the Indian Constitution has given the right of freedom of speech even to the people of other countries coming to India — and such a disruption is like a dictatorship.

He also said that the Shiv Sena caused the disruption with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"The Shiv Sena's protest is completely motivated with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The protest staged without listening to others or considering the other side is a dictatorship. The police should take stern action against the protesters," said Desai adding that Meekal Hasan — the band founder, is his old friend and was helping him with the new initiative.

"The Indian constitution has not only given the right of freedom of speech and expression to Indians but also to the people of other countries coming to India," Desai said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Shiv Sena party workers barged into the Mumbai Press Club during the performance by the band and shouted that no Pakistani group or individual will be allowed in Mumbai.

The Mekaal Hasan Band was poised to announce the first ever Indo-Pak band with members from both Pakistan and India. This was the first initiative of its kind and was aimed to create positive interaction between the musicians of both India and Pakistan.

The band comprises Mekaal Hasan, the guitarist and band founder, Ahsan Papu the flutist, Gino Banks, an Indian drummer, Sheldon D'Silva on bass, and Sharmistha Chatterjee as the vocalist.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police has detained more than a dozen protesters following the incident: "We have detained 13-14 persons, who were aggressive. The action will be taken against them for wrongful assembly and trespass as per sections of the Indian Penal Code," said Krishna Prakash, additional commissioner of police.

Prakash added that nobody is injured in the incident due to the quick response from police.