After the bleating and brouhaha over a ban on Pakistani artistes, noted singer Shafqat Amanat Ali has become the first Pakistani singer who has gone on record to condemn the terrorist attack in Uri.
After the bleating and brouhaha over a ban on Pakistani artistes, noted singer Shafqat Amanat Ali has become the first Pakistani singer who has gone on record to condemn the terrorist attack in Uri. Speaking to a leading television news channel, Mr Ali said: “It is a terror attack and I strongly condemn it. As far as I know, Pakistani actors condemn any kind of attack, which happens in any part of the world against any country because we have been suffering for so many years.” However, there is still silence from other Pakistani artistes like ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali, actor Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan and singers Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan among others who have made it big in Bollywood.
A debate has ensued in the country over banning of Pakistani artistes after the Raj-Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena gave an ultimatum to all Pakistani artistes to leave India within 48 hours after the Uri attack in which 19 soldiers were martyred. It may be mentioned here that Mr Ali’s concert in Bengaluru was scrapped last month following the Uri terror attack. “We know how it feels when your soldier or civilian dies. So, I don't think any of them (actors) would say it was right,” he said.
Mr Ali further claimed that when the attack took place the anger was focussed towards Pakistani artistes, hence they did not speak on the issue. “The moment all this started, people started bashing them. Someone also wrote an open letter to Fawad, which pushes you on the back foot. Ali Zafar, Fawad, Rahat (Fateh Ali Khan) or me, we will condemn a terror attack in any part of the world,” said Mr Ali.
Soon after Ali’s condemnation remarks, actor Rishi Kapoor took to twitter, saying all Pakistanis should condemn the Uri attacks. “Think. Why only Pakistani artistes should condemn the terrorist attack Whole of Pakistan should. After all they deny any hand in the Uri attack,” Mr Kapoor tweeted.
Meanwhile, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association on Thursday met MNS leaders and asked them to allow the release of Karan Johar’s Fawad Khan-starrer, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shah Rukh Khan’s Raaes which has Pakistani lass Mahira Khan as the leading lady. The MNS has however, refused to budge from its stand.
