Fans outraged as U2 announces India show

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Web Desk
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Bono (C), guitarist The Edge (L) and bass guitarist Adam Clayton of U2 perform during the iHeartRadio Music Festival at The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, US on September 23, 2016. Photo: Reuters
 

Irish rock band U2 is under fire for its planned performance in India this December.

The band first made the announcement on social media of playing in India for the first time ever on December 15.

In a recent interview, The Edge told Bombay Times, “We made India a priority on this tour and we are excited. It’s a culmination of so many years of our ambition to get to India and meet our Indian audience."

The Indian city, Mumbai, has been included on their The Joshua Tree tour. The decision comes at a controversial time after India illegally revoked the special constitution status of the disputed Kashmir valley and imposed a lockdown on its residents. Since over 40 days, communication networks have largely remained shut down, and movement in the valley is restricted.

In the backdrop of stories of human rights violations emerging from the valley, U2’s decision to choose to play now in India has been slammed by the social media.

U2 band member, Bono, have often been at the forefront of human rights campaigns, which is why this decision has left many of his fans outraged.