Indian media reported that the Bombay High Court had rejected a case that sought to prevent artists from Pakistan from working or performing in India.
According to Livemint, the petition was started by a self-described cine worker and artist named Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, who urged that the Indian government prohibit any type of professional relationship with artists from Pakistan.
The petition specifically requested that Indian citizens and businesses be prohibited from working with Pakistani film personnel, musicians, vocalists, lyricists, and technicians.
The appeal was flatly denied by a division bench consisting of Justices Sunil Shukre and Firdosh Pooniwalla. According to the court, this would be a bad idea for promoting cultural unity and peace in India and with its neighbor Pakistan.
The court also reportedly made the observation, as reported by Indian media, that hatred toward foreign individuals, especially those from neighboring nations, is not a demonstration of patriotism.
You can’t be a nice person and a true patriot at the same time. A true patriot is someone who puts their country’s interests ahead of their own. According to reports from Indian media outlets, it said, “A good person would welcome in his country any activity which promotes peace, harmony, and tranquility within the country and across the border.”
“One must understand that in order to be a patriot, one need not be inimical to those from abroad especially, from the neighboring country,” according to the court.
The bench emphasized the power of the arts to bring people of different backgrounds and cultures together through the mediums of music, sports, culture, and dance. They pointed out that events like this help promote international harmony and cooperation.
India hosts the Pakistan cricket squad.
The cricket team from Pakistan has been mentioned in court because they are currently competing in the World Cup in India. It praised the Indian government’s initiative in making this possible, since it is in line with Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, which promotes international stability.
The petitioner also requested that the court prohibit the issuance of visas to artists from Pakistan and punish those who disregarded the order.
He feared that Indian performers would be hurt by the influx of Pakistani artistes to India during the World Cup. The bench, however, rejected this line of reasoning, explaining that it lacks the authority to order the government to craft particular laws or policies.
