To ban or not to ban

Pakistani artists

Tensions in India-Pakistan relations after the Army surgical strike across the border have hit Bollywood. The Cinema Owners’ and Exhibitors Association and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena recently called for a ban on Pakistani artistes in Indian films.

There is divided opinion among young people and professionals about this ban. Some support it, others term it “jingoism”.

“Frankly, my opinion is similar to actor Abhay Deol, who mentioned ‘if banning anything to do with Pakistan is going to help our jawans, fine’,” says Niharika Pandit, 23, who has done Masters in Arts in Gender studies.

But she doesn’t get it why only the artistes are being targeted. “Sounds hypocritical to me,” she says.

“Deol showed the hypocrisy of nationalism. Why, if at all, only target artistes? It is one thing to love the country and another to make it a point and prove it by going to an irrational extent. In my opinion, it is jingoism,” she says.        
 
Those in favour of the ban say it will help isolate Pakistan globally.

According to 25-year-old Zain Anwar, such bans further alienate the intelligentsia in both nations. “These artistes and cultural expats are the ones who have sounded the gong of peace for the longest time. The solution is to bridge the gaps between these communities. I haven’t heard of an artiste in either country promoting hatred. Killing the doves of peace is an outrageous attempt,” he adds.

Some say art and culture in Pakistan have achieved universal admiration.

“We have seen nationwide acceptance of Pakistani art and culture. The fact that so many actors from across the border are able to find work here speaks volumes about Bollywood as a dynamic industry. Fawad Khan’s Zindagi Gulzar Hai has much more acceptance than most Indian daily soaps,” says 21-year-old Amandeep, student of BA LLB, Indraprastha
University.

However, the loss of 19 soldiers in the militant attack in Uri has made many support the ban on Pakistani actors. They believe that we first need to resolve our differences with Pakistan.
“I think this is justified because every time some Indian soldiers die, everyone forgets about it eventually. Even stars from Pakistan don’t care to show a sign of grief anywhere on social media. Taking such a step is not about teaching anyone a lesson but displaying a rigid approach towards cross-border terrorism,” says Sudhanshu Singh, 27, an Android developer in a start-up based in Delhi.

Similarly, Ankit Trivedi, a 24-year-old copywriter says some restrictions must be
imposed.

“The relations between the two countries are volatile, and before we go about business as usual, we should resolve our differences first. We shouldn’t engage with our neighbours on other fronts until the border issue is solved,” he says.