Should Pakistani artists be thrown out of India?
Following Uri attack and our soldier’s well executed retaliation with a surgical strike, one debate has been more prominent, even more than the strike and counter strike actions. All has faded but the one debate continues on whether Pakistani actors and singers working and earning fortunes in our country need to be kicked out.
The film fraternity has been divided into two with one side supporting that the artists must be kept out of political dramas and the other side outraging that these anti-national elements need to be thrown out since they have no sympathy for our nationals and martyrs killed at the hands of the terrorists residing in their nation.
Yes1. No empathy: It is to be noted that Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan and Ali Zafar were the ones to denounce terror attacks in Paris but they kept mum when it came to offering condolence to the victims of Pathankot and Uri. It clearly shows that though they earn their bread in our country while staying safe due to our soldiers, they have no empathy for the lost lives of Indians.
2. Straight denial: It would have been understandable if they were asked to speak against Pakistan and they refused. Essel Group chairman Subash Chandra approached the Pakistani actors and asked them to simply condemn the terror attacks but they straightaway denied. Are they so aware of the fact that terrorism is actually synonymous of their nation Pakistan?
3. Because we condemned: Our fellow citizens, actors and even politicians condemned the Peshawar attack on the school that killed hundreds of children. Even those who openly bear enmity to Pakistan stood against the cruelty. Why is it any different for the Pakistanis to do that when our soldiers were killed and innocent lives were lost?
4. They ban our movies: The best example among many Indian movies banned in Pakistan is Phantom. JuD chief and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed filed a plea against the movie and Pakistan was quick to act like the good pet it is to terrorists. They cannot stand the truth against a terror group. How does is come upon India to provide employment to Pakistani actors and artists? You ban our movies, we ban your artists.
5. We support global isolation, don’t we? When we want a global isolation of the terror breeding country, Pakistan, we need to remember to begin the charity at home first. We need to send back their artists to send a strong message to the whole world that we are very much serious about the global isolation and not just into some family drama where we fight and make up.
6. A peaceful protest: Soldiers fighting at the borders is their duty towards their motherland but what about our duties? As the citizens of a country whose people and soldiers have bled at the hands of mindless terrorism from this sadistic nation, we need to do our own peaceful but powerful protest. Banning them is not spreading hatred, but showing that we care more for the lives of our soldiers than our love for the artists.
No1. It is home to them: They have families living back at Pakistan, a nation which is not known for its understanding and compassion. It is clear that the artists are silent only because they do not want to risk the lives of their dear ones and also face hatred and life threatening welcome in their country. They should not be judged based on their silence.
2. They are being made scapegoats: There are so many other ways in which India is still dealing and trading with Pakistan. We love their lawn fabric to the core. We are all for their Coke Studio music. Are we talking to severing all ties? No? It is only the actors who have nothing to do with politics and diplomacy that are being made scapegoats of.
3. It is diverting the main agenda: It is unfortunate that all this kicking out actors and singers are somewhere diverting the main agenda of stressing on the need to keep retaliating with Pakistan. One counter strike is definitely not enough to maintain pressure. The terror outfits needs to be tracked all the time and shown their right place, despite Pakistan being unhappy about it.
4. It wouldn’t agitate the terrorists or the government: Remember how the extremists hate and kill the artists who work in India or Pakistan too for that matter? They wouldn’t be affected if we kick out the artists.
A silent protest from the nation that has taken enough of mindless terrorism from this diplomatic and sadistic nation would be a ban on the artists of Pakistan. This would send out a strong message that we wouldn’t in any case tolerate the ones who do not have compassion for humanity and lives of our soldiers.
