Fateh Ali khan, Fawad khan, Ali Zafer, and Atif Aslam, no doubt are amazing artists. The film fraternity have always had an unbelievable amount of such incredible artists and this statement needs no proof and art has no boundaries. But, should the situation not change with the changing dynamics of politics and terrorism? The politics have indulged itself so deeply with the art, resulting in quite putrid colour. But, the most important issue now in India is whether the Pakistani artists should continue to work here or not? Considering what our soldiers are going through, this issue is quite insignificant. The news of our soldiers and their bravery was in news for only 2- days and then the most insignificant news took over social media- the one regarding Pakistani artists. So should they be deported? People are of 2 minds- art has no boundaries, so they should not be deported, while many other think that these artists work and earn in our country and pay taxes in their country, which in turn is utilized against India, through terrorism and wars.
Now our entire country divided into two believe one support their existence in India by thinking that politics and art should be segregated properly. And another people thinks that they should not be allow here to live any more as nation comes before our art.
Reasons why they should leave:
1. They have no sympathy:
It is to be noted that at the time of terror attacks at Paris, Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan and Ali Zafar all went into condolences for the people who dies and condemned the attacks, but when it came to condemn the attack in India by Pakistan, they were all silent. It simply says that though they earn their bread in our country, where they stay safe due to our soldiers, yet they have no sympathy for the lives lost by the terrorist attack.
2. Denied to show even little of empathy towards us:
When chairman of Essel Group Subash Chandra requested the Pakistani actors and asked them to simply condemn the terror attacks surprisingly they denied. But, isn’t the common public of Pakistan a victim of terrorism as well? Isn’t it a well-known open fact that Pakistan and terrorism are correlated?
3. They banned our movies in retaliation:
They have banned our movies earlier as well, especially that showed Pakistan in “relation” with terrorism like Phantom, Neerja and the like. JuD boss and Mumbai assault engineer Hafiz Saeed requested a ban against the film and the country obliged. Even now, they have gone ahead and banned all the Indian movies and TV Serials that are being aired on their TV in retaliation of the surgical strikes and banning Pakistani artists.
4. One peaceful protest: our army fighting at the border is their duty towards their country, but what about our duties? 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 and their sacrifices. This is not a personal fight of our soldiers, it is a fight against terrorism and against those who breed terrorism against our nation.
A large percentage of people in India, do believe that fight is between our soldiers while the artists are innocent. But, as Nana Patekar said, “I don’t know anything else other than my country. An artiste is very small in front of a country. As artistes, we don’t have value when it comes to country.”
We all have to remember that our Nation is our first priority. Terrorism is not a religion. It is just a mentality.
-By NB.
