Indian Minister, Babul Supriyo, in his recent statement has demanded to ban Pakistani singers Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in India citing their Pakistani nationality as a reason for disapproval of them.
In his regressive statement, the former playback singer has asked to remove the voice of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan from his latest song in ‘Welcome To New York’. He has demanded the song to be dubbed in someone else’s voice instead. He also objected to Atif Aslam’s selection for ‘Dil Diyaan Gallen’ in Salman Khan’s ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’.
The singer turned politician said he is unable to comprehend the desire to cross the border in the quest of talent when tensions between India-Pakistan are escalating.
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“I am also not sure why Atif got to sing Dil Diya Gallan when Arijit could have done a much better job. The FM stations played the song galore, while news channels announced the name of our soldiers martyred by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists,” he sighs.
Supriyo did clarify that India has got no problem with Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan apart from their Pakistani nationality.
“Both are great singers but it’s important to clarify that our problem is not with the artists. We have an issue with their nationality. It’s not a political stand, but probably the families who have lost their sons, brothers, fathers would feel a lot better should the entire country show solidarity in any manner possible,” he adds.
He says Bollywood has a national responsibility towards India. “Bollywood is an integral part of India. It represents India worldwide, hence banning Pakistani artists in Indian films would have also taken the protest against organized terrorism by the rogue nation, worldwide,” he explained. “And, I clearly recall that such a promise was made when Ae Dil Hai Mushkil had met protests due to Fawad Khan.”
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He also despised the silence of these artists on the attack on the Indian Army from the opposition groups in Jammu and Kashmir. He lamented these artists never condemn such terrorist attacks on Indian Army. “It’s pertinent to note that one cannot recall a single Pakistani artist made famous by Bollywood, condemn acts of terrorism,” he adds.
India is encountering the rise of nationalism under the right-wing ruling party, BJP. This wave of nationalism has stormed Bollywood with anti-Pakistan sentiments. Many influential Bollywood stars like Anupam Kher and Paresh Rawal have expressed their anti-Pakistan sentiments recently.
Filmmakers within the industry promoting Pakistani talent were threatened with dire consequences. Directors like Karan Johar were forced to express their obedience towards India by pledging not to cast Pakistani stars in his movies in the future.