Ever since the Uri attack on the Indian Army, there has been a debate about whether Pakistani artistes should be banned from India. If India decides to cut all ties with Pakistan, then it is justified. Close the border, stop being part of international events Pakistan is part of, and stop all import-export with the neighbouring country. Why just impose a ban on actors and musicians? We spoke to a few select voices on the matter and this is what they had to say...
‘We need to first combat terror’
Shaina NC
Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)
We should not get artistes involved in this. Relationships with Pakistan have deteriorated to such an extent that there is a move now to declare Pakistan a terror state on an international level. Given the current crisis, I don’t think we can have Pakistani artistes coming here. But the artistes from Pakistan, who have legitimate visas and work permits, should not feel threatened by any political party. The MNS or any political party suggesting that the Pakistani artistes leave in 48 hours has no legal basis. My misapprehension about the MNS’ enthusiastic call to oust Pakistani artistes is that, at a time when the coast guard, the navy and every other government body is fighting to keep Mumbai safe from terrorists, the MNS is targeting Pakistani artistes. We need to first combat terror and then look into matters such as these. Removing Pakistani artistes does not solve problems between India and Pakistan. My question to the MNS: If you feel so strongly about the protection of the nation, first go catch the terrorists, you are only trying to show your might and clout by targeting soft targets. This is nothing but a publicity gimmick. But in future, the government is not going to be as cordial to Pakistani artistes as they’ve been so far.
‘Start addressing the real problem’
Vikram Bhatt
Filmmaker
If we really want to do something about Uri we must all go all out into the international community and make sure that Pakistan is declared a terrorist state. Stop making insignificant protest moves and start addressing the real problem.
‘Have we cut off all diplomatic ties?’
Shabana Azmi
Actor-activist
Banning Pakistani actors in India will solve the Kashmir problem? Have we cut off all diplomatic ties? Are we at war?
'Kalaakar ka koi mazhab nahin hota'
Om Puri, Actor
To ask for a ban on Pakistani artistes in Bollywood is totally unjustified. Yeh to haiwanon ki ghaltiyon ke liye masoomon ko sazaa dena hua (this is like punishing the innocent for the misdeeds of the evildoers). The Pakistani artistes in India are young talented people making a living for themselves in our film industry. They are hardworking and well-behaved, why should they be asked to leave? Take on Pakistani politicians and the army, not artistes! Kalaakar ka koi mazhab nahin hota (artistes do not have a religion). Did Bulley Shah or Kabir have any religious allegiance? I’ve been to Pakistan six times. Each visit has been pleasant and rewarding. My most recent visit to Pakistan was last month when I visited four cities in Pakistan to promote my film Pakistani Actor In Law directed by Nabeel Qureshi. Everywhere I went I was accorded great respect and love. In fact, I’d like the film to be released in India as well.
‘I don’t think we should shut down all doors between the two countries’
Mahesh Bhatt, Filmmaker
Call me a die-hard romantic, but I still hope pray and fantasise about peace in the Asian subcontinent. Someday peace will prevail. However, the mother of all questions is, are we at war with Pakistan? By all means, take a firm no-nonsense stance against the extremists, the ISI, the Mujahideen, the Laskar-e-Taiba, and the Pakistan military, which is perhaps covertly promoting such intrusions into our country. By all means, take note of the Hafiz Saeeds . They are another ballgame completely. But channels of peace talks have to be kept open even when relations between the two countries hit the worst of times. There is a kind of compassion in certain religious tenets which talk of nursing the wounds of the maimed and the seriously injured. The artiste is part of the healing process. I don’t think we should shut down all doors between the two countries. Also, it is the right of the government of India to decide who should and who should not come to this country. Is the country going to be run by the rule of the law or by the whims and fancies of a handful of people? Once a foreign national enters our land through proper legal and constitutional channels it is our duty to protect him. We are obliged to honour the idea that a guest is God when he enters in our space. Have we asked Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India to go back? Why terrorise artistes? It’s an oft-repeated nightmare for artistes and actors to be thus targeted. It does not augur well for India to tell them to go back in 48 hours. By all means, give a bloody nose to those who are perpetrating terror on our country, but refrain from targetting the people of the two countries. I think the diktat should come from the Indian government. If they tell us to cease working with Pakistani artistes we have to fall in line. No arguments about it.
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