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India-Pakistan | |
Rebels bar Kashmiris from TV show | |
2007-02-21 | |
A rebel group in Indian-held Kashmir has warned young people in the region not to audition for the hugely popular television show “Indian Idol” or face harsh punishment. “No leniency” will be shown to anyone trying out for the show, a spokesman for the al Madina Regiment, which has claimed responsibility for suicide and other attacks in Kashmir, told the local Current News Service late on Monday. Sony Entertainment Television had said earlier it would hold an audition on Wednesday for singers in Srinagar, summer capital of Indian-held Kashmir. Sony is looking for that “one voice that will be the pride of the nation,” a television advertisement said. But the rebel outfit, which authorities believe is an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba group, told youngsters not to participate in the talent hunt. “These shows are just displays of vulgarity,” said group spokesman Sadiq. The programme which draws massive television ratings across India is a variation of the US programme “American Idol” and offers winners a shot at stardom. There was no immediate comment available from Sony on the threat. The rebels have closed down all cinema halls and liquor shops in the region since 1989, when the freedom struggle was launched. The revolt has left tens of thousands of people dead since.
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Posted by:Fred |
#5 Didn't "American Idol" come from Germany originally? If that's true, they shouldn't be allowed to continue as a nation state. I'd drop a Morgenthal on 'em. |
Posted by: Shipman 2007-02-21 23:33 |
#4 A number of candidates who failed in the auditions, performed before media people outside the convention centre. Among them was Saima who was ruled ineligible for being under-aged. She was accompanied by her burqa-clad grandmother, who said she was keen for the young girl to join the contest. Many Kashmiris have been emboldened to join the singing contest after a young man from downtown Srinagar, Kazi Tauqeer, won a music contest on another show on Sony TV last year. |
Posted by: John Frum 2007-02-21 17:39 |
#3 Hundreds of young people have ignored militant threats in Indian-administered Kashmir and auditioned for the popular television show Indian Idol. A large number of girls were among those who turned out for the auditions in the state capital, Srinagar. Indian Idol, based on the popular UK programme Pop Idol, has run for two years but this is the first time auditions have been held in Srinagar. Militants called the Sony TV programme vulgar and against traditional values. |
Posted by: John Frum 2007-02-21 17:38 |
#2 These are hardly "rebels". They are citizens of a foreign country that enter India to kill its citizens. The LeT is a Pakistani terror group that recruits from Punjabi and Pashtun areas. |
Posted by: John Frum 2007-02-21 06:08 |
#1 Didn't "American Idol" come from Germany originally? |
Posted by: Eric Jablow 2007-02-21 00:31 |