On Pakistani artists in India – Bombay High Court’s ‘salaam’ to art without borders 

Source: This post has been created based on the article “Bombay High Court’s ‘salaam’ to art without borders” published in The Indian Express on 25th October 2023. 

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations — India and its neighborhood- relations. 

News: This article discusses the recent Bombay High Court decision to lift the ban on Pakistani artists performing in India and its impacts on the Indo-Pakistan relations. 

What were the events leading to the ban on Pakistani artists?

1) 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008 disrupted Indo-Pakistan cultural exchanges.  

2) In 2015, Shiv Sena protested Ghulam Ali’s concert in Mumbai and led to its cancellation.  

3) After 2016’s Uri attack, there was a blanket ban on Pakistani artistes working in the Indian film industry. Pulwama attacks in 2019 reinforced it. 

What were the observations of the Bombay High Court in this matter?

The Bombay High Court quashed a plea to ban Indian companies, citizens and associations from working with Pakistani artistes – including actors, singers, musicians, lyricists, and technicians – in India.  

The court also observed that art, music, sports, culture, and dance can truly bring about peace, tranquility, unity and harmony in the nation and between nations. 

Art has the capacity to evoke a sense of community, solidarity and self-awareness, and get through people’s hearts. The recent camaraderie between the Indian and Pakistani cricket teams – both men’s and women’s – has proven it. 

What are the rules regarding entry of Pakistani artists in India?

Officially, as per the India-Pakistan Visa agreement 2012, “Reputed Pakistani artistes, including actors, musicians etc., who desire to visit India for giving commercial performances in India on remuneration basis may be granted visitor visa for a period not exceeding one year subject to the condition that each stay in India shall not exceed three months and with a special endorsement ‘Commercial performance permitted’.”  

These cross-border exchanges were put to an end by the September 2016 Uri attack leading to resolutions by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees, preventing Pakistani artists from working in the Indian film industry. 

In 2019, the Pulwama strikes brought forth a resolution by the All-Indian Cine Workers Association, upholding the 2016 ban. 

What should be done?

Both countries must show the ability to rise above differences to find ways to collaborate. 

Question for practice: 

“Confidence-building measures like the welcoming of Pakistani artists in India are required to put Indo-Pakistan relations on a positive trajectory.” Discuss.