As many as 14 people were detained for protesting outside Ballr Pub in Kalyani Nagar, Pune, during the live screening of the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan, which India won by 7 wickets. The members, who have an affiliation with the Sakal Hindi Samaj, acted after seeing social media posts claiming that a Pakistani singer, Imran Khan, would be performing at the pub. Without verifying the information, they gathered at the venue to protest against the event.
‘Imran Khan is a Dutch national’
Even after police informed the protesters that the singer, Imran Nasir Khan, is a Dutch national and not a Pakistani citizen, they continued obstructing people from entering the pub to attend the event, according to police officials.
“At the pub Ballr in Kalyaninagar, Yerwada, a program by Imran Nasir Khan, an artist and a citizen of the Netherlands, was scheduled today. Upon seeing reports on social media that the said artist was a Pakistani citizen, some organisation workers gathered at Hotel Ballr to protest and stage an agitation,” Senior Police Inspector Ravindra Shelke, Yerwada Police Station, told ANI.
He added, “Even after being informed of the actual facts, they attempted to obstruct citizens who were going to the hotel.”
To prevent further disturbance, police arrested the protesters and deployed additional personnel at the site. “The situation is peaceful,” the inspector added.
‘We received NOC before his performance,’ says club owner
Dr Heramb Shelke, owner of Ballr, also dismissed the reports that Imran Khan is a Pakistani singer, stating that he was born in the Netherlands.
“We have followed all legal protocols by securing the necessary work visa from the Government of India and the appropriate Foreign Registration Office (FRO) clearance from the Maharashtra Home Department,” he explained, before adding, “Based on these credentials, we received the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the SB Department of the Office of the Commissioner of Pune, allowing him to perform at our venue.”
He went on to say, “We firmly stand against any misinformation suggesting that we would promote a Pakistani artist in our club.”
‘One night. One legend.’
BookMyShow, in the about section of the show titled “Ballr Turns 2”, said, “From Bewafa to Amplifier, the voice that ruled our playlists is coming to rule Ballr! This 14th Sept, celebrate Ballr’s 2nd Anniversary with the Bewafa Boy himself, LIVE!”
The ticketing platform added, “Get ready to sing, scream, and lose your voice shouting ‘Bewafa…. Bewafa!’ with him.”
“One night. One legend. Infinite nostalgia,” it ended with these words.
At the event, Imran Khan performed Live for 5 hours for an audience 21 years and older. Before his Pune performance, he reportedly performed in Hyderabad at Quake Arena.