While Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali performed here to a packed venue, a section of Twitterati, including BJP leaders, slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for inviting the singer to India just weeks after the Pathankot attacks.
Ali, who has over the years enthralled millions across the globe with his baritone voice, expressed gratitude and elation to be able to perform in the eastern metropolis with his son at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here.
But that did not stop a section of netizens from taking a dig at the initiative.
"Due to Confidence Building Measures like #PathankotAttack, Ghulam Ali will perform again in Kolkata (after saying he won't be back ever)."
Another post said: "Ghulam Ali concert on January 12. Midnight betrayal on border, but Ghazal nite in Kolkata."
"We lost our martyrs in Pathankot last week & WB CM @MamataOfficial, Kolkata people are enjoying Pak singer Ghulam Ali's ghazals. Speechless!" said yet another tweet.
State BJP president Dilip Ghosh attacked Banerjee's Trinamool Congress with: "TMC Govt is doing politics by bringing Ghulam Ali to perform in Kolkata."
An update by Bengal BJP's Twitter handle said: "When entire nation want answer for #PathankotAttack,CM #AntiNationalMamata brings Pak Singer Gulam Ali for Concert."
On the other hand, positives did resonate on the microblogging platform.
"Blockbuster Full House at Ghulam Ali Concert in Netaji Indoor Stadium Kolkata today. Shivsena can create nuisance in Mumbai, not elsewhere!" chirped one.
After cancellation of his concert in Mumbai due to threats by the Shiv Sena, Ghulam Ali in November had expressed disappointment asserting "never to return to India".
Mamata Banerjee offered Kolkata as a venue following the cancellation of the Mumbai concert in October.
