Acclaimed Sufi singer Kailash Kher was forced to stop his live performance midway at the Gwalior Mela Grounds on December 25, 2025. The event, organized to commemorate the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and celebrate Tabla Day, descended into chaos as the crowd breached security protocols.
What Happened?
The concert began on a high note at 7 PM with Kher performing hits like “Jaana Jogi De Naal Ve”. However, as the evening progressed, the situation quickly deteriorated:
- Security Breach: Fans began jumping over barricades and breaking queues to get closer to the stage.
- Aggressive Behavior: A section of the audience rushed toward the stage, threatening the safety of the performers and expensive musical equipment.
- Inadequate Security: Despite the presence of local police and private security, the sheer volume and aggression of the crowd overwhelmed the arrangements.
Kailash Kher’s Reaction
Visibly frustrated by the lack of discipline, Kher stopped the music and addressed the audience directly over the microphone.
“Humne aapki prashansa ki aur aap itna janwargiri kar rahe hain. Janwargiri mat kariye please… Agar koi humare instruments ya equipment ke paas aaya, toh hum show band kar denge.” (I was praising you and you are behaving like animals. Please don’t act like animals… If anyone comes near our instruments or equipment, we will stop the show.)
When the chaos did not subside, Kher requested senior police officials to intervene. Ultimately, citing a lack of control and safety concerns for his team, he ended the performance prematurely, reportedly saying, “Aapko main pranaam karta hoon” (I salute you) before walking off stage.
Event Context
The performance was part of Gwalior Gaurav Diwas, an event approved by the Culture Department. Earlier that day, high-profile dignitaries had attended a growth summit at the same venue without incident. The sudden breakdown of order during the evening concert has raised serious questions about crowd management protocols for large-scale public cultural events in the city.