Death to America! Death to Indian Idol???

Yikes, and we thought Simon Cowell was harsh.

From Zee News: No leniency to be shown to those who defy ban."

Srinagar, Feb 19: Notwithstanding threat by a militant group, a private television channel is going ahead with an audition for boys and girls here on Wednesday to enable them to compete in the forthcoming third edition of `Indian Idol`, a singing competition of the channel.

Encouraged by the success of local boy Qazi Taqeer in the talent hunt show of `Fame Gurukul`, the television channel is organizing an audition for interested boys and girls of Kashmir, a spokesman of the channel told reporters here today.

He said that in the earlier two editions of Indian Idol, audition was restricted to six cities of the country but to attract more aspirants the audition is being held at 12 cities this time.

Meanwhile, al-Midana militant outfit has asked the locals not to participate in the show and threatened to kill those who will participate in the show."We appeal to boys and girls of Kashmir not to participate in the talent hunt..", a spokesman of the outfit Abu Sadiq told news organisations here.

He said no lenency (sic)would be shown against those who defy the ban on the show imposed by the outfit.



From wikipedia (groan - I know) but I found this interesting (if true). Countries in blue have Idol competitions and film them. The countries in green (mostly Middle Eastern) have competitions but DO NOT film them. What's up with that, I wonder? Also surprising - it looks like there's no Mexican Idol.