The Bombay High Court on Thursday has refused to stay the upcoming concert by British rock band Coldplay. This was in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by activists Anjali Damania and Hemant Gavande challenging the Maharashtra government’s decision to waive the entertainment duty for the concert. The concert by is scheduled to be held on November 19 at the MMRDA grounds in suburban Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
The petitioners had challenged the validity of the decision to waive entertainment duty on grounds that exemption can be given only for shows or programmes organised for charitable or educational purposes.
Responding to this, Advocate General Rohit Deo said, “It is going to be an eight-hour-long programme and the concert by Coldplay is just a part of it. The festival is to create awareness and educate people mostly youngsters about three subjects — gender equality, education and clean water. These three are part of the 17 sustainable goals of the United Nations.”
He also said that out of the 80,000 tickets, 65,000 will be given free of cost to those persons who show their contribution to society in the above mentioned subjects.
After hearing arguments of both the sides, the court said it cannot accept the contentions of the petitioners at this stage and hence, will not impose a stay on the concert.
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However, it ruled that the Maharashtra government should take an undertaking from the event organiser that it would be willing to pay the waived entertainment duty if the court directs so in future.
The festival line-up features Bollywood actors Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, among others. There is criticism as some fans say it’s not a Coldplay tour as much as it’s a Bollywood show. Singers Arijit Singh and Monali Thakur are also part of the event.
Feature image courtesy : Dfordelhi.com