“I have been informed that Pakistan MoFA has denied permission for my visa to participate in the Karachi Literature festival. Sad to have been denied visa second time in a year while around 17 people will participate in the Karachi Literature Festival as guests.”, is what 60-year-old actor said in a Facebook post when his Visa to visit Pakistan was denied.
“I have been informed that Pakistan MoFA has denied permission for my visa to participate in the Karachi Literature festival. Sad to have been denied visa second time in a year while around 17 people will participate in the Karachi Literature Festival as guests.”, is what 60-year-old actor said in a Facebook post when his Visa to visit Pakistan was denied.
On Tuesday, 2nd Feb, the actor went on twitter saying,
@AnupamPkher sorry Sir I don't know who told you about this so-called NoC, we are still to receive your visa application and passport
— Abdul Basit (@abasitpak1) February 2, 2016
Pakistan’s High Commissioner Abdul Basit replied to his tweet saying they are yet to receive his Visa documents and they are open to take those.
This story took a new turn this morning with Kher’s reply to Basit on twitter where he humbly denied saying that he has “given away those dates” to some other event now.
Thank you Mr. @abasitpak1 for your call & offering me visa to visit Karachi. I appreciate it. Unfortunately i've given away those dates now.
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) February 3, 2016
It’s interesting to think that the Indian and Pakistani government does this to artists and writers? Wasn’t literature supposed to bring countries closer?
The actor who has been recently named for Padma Bhushan has similar doubts, “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?”
Siddharth Acharya, a High Court lawyer who voices his opinion about Kashmiri Pandits and their problems says, “Pakistan doesn’t usually give Visas to the artists who are vocal against terrorism sponsored by Pakistan.” Also, when asked if this has got to do something with Kher being a Kashmiri Pandit, Acharya tells us, “Yes, since Anupam is Kashmiri Pandit and they are the worst victims of Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Kashmir. Also, Kashmiri Pandits are seen as very close to RSS which is a Hindu organisation”
Kher who’s movies have seen success all these years is a BJP supporter and has raised his voice on the “intolerance” a lot lately.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner Abdul Basit replied to his tweet saying they are yet to receive his Visa documents and they are open to take those.
This story took a new turn this morning with Kher’s reply to Basit on twitter where he humbly denied saying that he has “given away those dates” to some other event now.
Wasn’t literature supposed to bring countries closer?
The actor who has been recently named for Padma Bhushan has similar doubts, “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?”
Siddharth Acharya, a High Court lawyer who voices his opinion about Kashmiri Pandits and their problems says, “Pakistan doesn’t usually give Visas to the artists who are vocal against terrorism sponsored by Pakistan.” Also, when asked if this has got to do something with Kher being a Kashmiri Pandit, Acharya tells us, “Yes, since Anupam is Kashmiri Pandit and they are the worst victims of Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Kashmir. Also, Kashmiri Pandits are seen as very close to RSS which is a Hindu organisation”
Kher who’s movies have seen success all these years is a BJP supporter and has raised his voice on the “intolerance” a lot lately.
