Organisers of 'Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir' (reality of Kashmir), a parallel show hosted by civil society here in protest against the German-sponsored concert of Zubin Mehta, today said music is welcome in the state but not at the cost of "legitimising the occupation".
"People of Jammu and Kashmir have historically cultivated a sublime love for music. Music which appeals to the higher truths of love, justice, dignity and peace and is performed for the actual public is wholeheartedly welcome. However, legitimising an occupation via a musical concert is completely unacceptable," the programme's spokesman Khurram Parvez told reporters here.
The concert, 'Ehsaas-e-Kashmir' (Feel of Kashmir), organised by New Delhi-based German Embassy featuring internationally renowned orchestra conductor Zubin Mehta, serves to "dilute the reality of Jammu and Kashmir and peoples' aspirations," he said.
"The Zubin Mehta concert is organised and controlled by the Government of India and the German Embassy, with extensive corporate sponsorship. It only serves the state narrative which seeks to dilute the reality of peoples' aspirations. It seeks to promote an image of a peaceful and normal Jammu and Kashmir. The pain, suffering, courage and bravery of the resistance will find no place in this concert," he said.
Criticising German government on "choosing to be a party to the Indian state's continued political machinations," Parvez said it appears to be "an attempt by India to outsource its military psychological operations to international community."
German Ambassador Michael Steiner was "misleading" people of Jammu and Kashmir by calling the concert "an event for the people," he said.
"It is a deeply political event for political purposes, with only about 100 supposedly unaffiliated civilians of the state included as invitees," he said.
'Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir' is a cultural and aesthetic tribute to the "resilience and struggle of the state's people" and will to showcase "the reality of the state. It is an act of both resistance and celebration," Parvez added.
