Key Takeaways:

• Ed Sheeran's unexpected busking in Bengaluru was stopped by police on Sunday.
• Local authorities cited a lack of permission due to crowd concerns on Church Street.
• The singer asserted he had prior authorization for the performance, stirring debate online.

In a surprising turn of events, Ed Sheeran's impromptu street performance in Bengaluru was abruptly halted by local police on Sunday. The British singer-songwriter was seen engaging fans on Church Street, singing his hit "Shape of You", when a police officer approached and unplugged his microphone, an incident that quickly went viral on social media. Eyewitness reports indicate the sudden police intervention led to jeers from the crowd, who were taken aback by the disruption.

Bengaluru police justified their actions by stating that Sheeran's performance was conducted without the necessary permissions, which is required to maintain order in the city's busy streets. Deputy Commissioner Shekar T. Tekkannanavar explained, stating, "I refused to give permission because Church Street gets very crowded. That is the reason he was asked to vacate the place.” In contrast, Sheeran took to Instagram to assert that they had indeed received permission to perform, clarifying, “It wasn't just us randomly turning up." He noted that the performance had been planned beforehand.

The incident occurred just hours before Sheeran's scheduled concert at the NICE Grounds, where he performed in front of thousands. Following the performance in Bengaluru, Sheeran is set to continue his tour across India. Fans voiced their disappointment online over the police interference, while discussions about local regulations governing public performances emerged, highlighting the complexities of organizing events in crowded urban areas.

As the demand for live music continues to rise in India, Sheeran's tour marks a significant moment in the growing concert economy in the region, showcasing both the popularity and the challenges of hosting large-scale performances.

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