March 14: Over 40 residents of Udali in Hojai district today issued an appeal to cancel a musical nite on March 25, where singer Nahid Afrin was supposed to perform, claiming that such programmes at a place with mosques, madarsas and other religious institutions goes against Shariah.

Leaflets containing the appeal have been circulated in Hojai for the past couple of days and many have compared it to a fatwa.

Udali is a minority-dominated area located around 20km from Hojai town.

Hojai superintendent of police Devojyoti Mukherjee said they are inquiring into the matter. "It was an appeal purportedly made by over 40 prominent persons. But it is not known whether consent was taken for publishing their names on the handbill," he said.

Mukherjee said there was no mention of Nahid's name in the leaflet.

Reacting to this development, Nahid said her parents wanted her to perform at the event.

"My parents are supporting me and want me to perform. The chief minister (Sarbananda Sonowal) called me this evening and said he will support me. So hopefully with everyone's support, I will be able to perform at the function," Nahid told The Telegraph.