What happens if you are a Kashmiri Pandit and if you are a nationalist supporting the ruling party of India? The answer is that you will be denied the Pakistani visa!! Confused about what’s happening, read this.
Actor Anupam Kher had to cancel his visit to Pakistan for participating in the Karachi literary festival. This is starting on the 5 of February. But the Pakistan government denied him a visa. Anupam and 17 other Indians were invited to the festival which would go for 4 days but now with the visa being denied his visit stays a halt. The other 17 Indian participants have been issued visas. Anupam Kher is a prominent actor in the film industry and has many fans in Pakistan too.
We can recollect that he has just been honoured with a Padma Bhushan by the government of India. Kher confirmed that he was denied the visa, and he said his visit would have helped in reducing the cultural and emotional barrier between the two nations, he also said,“We welcome their artistes in India. If there are objections to their performance at one place in India they are welcome at other places. But there is no reciprocity,”
When asked about the reason behind his visa denial he said, “I wish I knew. I am wondering if it is because I am a Kashmiri Pandit or because of my views on the tolerance debate in India.”
The organisers of the festival are apparently embarrassed and have apologised to Mr.Kher on this regard. This unacceptable move from Pakistan has now left the question marks on the future of Indo -Pak bilateral relationships. As expected, the intolerance brigade has not only been mum on this matter but instead have alleged that Anupam Kher did not apply for the visa in the first place.
Here are the series of tweets from the actor,
Have been informed that Pakistan MoFA has denied permission for my visa to participate in the Karachi Literature festival.
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) February 2, 2016
Sad to have been denied visa on second time in a year. While around 17 people will participate in the Karachi Literature Festival as guests.
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) February 2, 2016
Has my visa been denied because I speak about India's rich tradition of tolerance or I am a Kashmiri Pandit who may expose Pak terror nexus?
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) February 2, 2016
Indian Govt welcomes Pakistan based writers, artists, actors etc. Pakistan Govt. bans entry of Indian actors. Why fear a free dialogue?
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) February 2, 2016
Didn't Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs red flag my name to Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi? Why hide facts deliberately?
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) February 2, 2016
Pak High Commission shud know their own rules. #KarachiLitFest had given my name to authorities 1 month back & have my name in every poster.
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) February 2, 2016
I feel bad for all those people who were looking forward to meet me in Pakistan and vice versa. Sorry to them. Hopefully one day …
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) February 2, 2016
Invitation letter from Ameena Saiyid, Director, #KarachiLitFest dated 30th Oct, 2015. pic.twitter.com/7v9iuj9xHL
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) February 2, 2016
