Should Pak actors be banned as terrorism continues to bleed India?

Ever since the fidayeen attack on the Army base camp in Uri, in which 20 soldiers were killed, there has been a demand for boycott of Pakistani actors. Pakistan has unilaterally banned telecast of Indian channels and serials. Following the Uri attack, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena issued a dictum to all Pakistani actors to leave Indian soil within 48 hours. The Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA) also passed a resolution banning all Pakistani artistes and technicians from working here. The terror attack has enraged Indians and forced them to think why Pakistani actors should earn money here, enjoy stardom when Pakistan promotes terrorists who continue killing our soldiers.
Terrorists attacked the Pathankot air base in January this year and ever since constant ceasefire violations and attacks have been taking place. Now, Pakistan is isolated and is feeling pressure from all countries to take action against the terrorist outfits which are thriving on its land.
The News Now spoke to some youths to know their views on the issue.

Navjoot Choudhary, M.A, Political Science, student: I feel that it would not be right from our end if we relate terrorists with artists who have come from across the border. For me, artists are known for their talent. Artists should be given the respect they deserve. I know that at present relations between India and Pakistan are not good. Being an Indian, I am also against Pakistan’s policies and for what it has done in Uri terror attack. But we cannot blame Pakistani artists for the current scenario. We cannot tell them to leave all of a sudden because most of them are busy with ongoing projects in which money of our producers has been invested.
It would not be wise to target Pakistani actors when there is a war-like situation between the two countries. Pakistani actors should be encouraged instead of being warned of dire consequences. Actor’s job is to do acting and actors like Fawad Khan from Pakistan are actually doing well giving hits after hits. We have an old saying “Atithi Devo Bhava”. We should follow our culture give Pakistani actors full support and love.

Neeraj Choudhary, Economics student: I think Pakistani actors should go back to Pakistan and they should not work in India because situations are extremely tense in J&K. Being an Indian I would appreciate Pakistani actors to go back to Pakistan. I am not against any actor and I also understand that artists are not responsible for this tension between India and Pakistan. But my point is here to tell that it’s an emotional belief that we cannot welcome anyone from Pakistan. Why should we promote Pakistani actors when their country is always working against India.
Pakistan is supposed to be taught a lesson and we should put economic pressure by not giving jobs to anyone who is from Pakistan. However, I am completely in favour with lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar who lashed out at Pakistani artistes by saying that the fact they have not condemned the Uri attack is a kind of a "confession" that the country is responsible for it. The silence of Pakistani actors is a form of confession that Pakistan is responsible for the attack in Uri. If Pakistan says they aren't responsible for it, I don't see any reason any Pakistani artist should not condemn it.

Lovnish Dour, MCA student: I believe most calls for bans are politically motivated. But the point is that all parties collectively stressed on the silence of Pakistani actors when India is attacked. Why don’t Pakistani actors condemn these terror attacks on India? Do they fear that reacting to it will make them unpopular back home in Pakistan? It’s got more to do with the fact that unlike Paris attack, denouncing a terror attack on India will have far-reaching ramifications back in Pakistan, something that none of these Pakistani actors want to involve themselves in. I guess that’s the reason behind their silence. But this reason doesn’t really cut ice this time, especially after the dastardly terror attack in Uri.
An artiste is very small in front of a country. I completely agree with MNS chief Raj Thackeray who says that “Are we short of artists in our country? Why do we need Pakistani artists to work in our films? I don’t understand. Jawans are fighting for us at borders. India should not allow Pakistani artists to come to India. Now it has become a question of India’s dignity and self-respect. If Pakistan will stop cross border terrorism then only we should allow actors from Pakistan.

Shikha, History student: I disagree with the demand that Paksitani actors should be banned in India. An actor’s job is to do acting and to entertain people but unfortunately we are telling them to go back. We condemn the terror attack but they (Pakistani actors) are not responsible behind the bitter relations between the neighboring countries. In fact, Pakistani artist are somewhere playing an important role and acting like a bridge with exchange of cultural values. There has always been friction and tension between India and Pakistan since partition but actors from Pakistan are not responsible behind this. Why is it important for social activists to demand ban on artists from across the border? Every problem has a solution and relations between the nations can only improve through bilateral talks. One thing I want to add is that producers are hiring Pakistani artists and paying them because they are making money through them. It is the Indian audience that has made Fawad Khan a superstar.

Veena, Political Science student: I don’t think that Pakistani actors should be banned in India. Claiming that Pakistan actors are responsible for unemployment of Indian actors is completely wrong. Why we are so much interested to drag actors into this issue and not allowing them to do their job? It is not easy for any actor to leave immediately and especially for directors and producers who have spent crores. Government should come up with another way out to show its anger against Pakistan instead of asking Pakistani actors to leave India.