Salman Khan Comes Forward In Support Of Pakistani Actors In India

The Pakistani actors have began returning to their homeland when they found themselves in trouble in India after the threats given by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (the Indian nationalist party) in wake of terrorist attack in Uri, Occupied Kashmir. The artists were given 48-hour ultimatum to leave India or get ready to face consequences.

However, many people in India think it is unfair to blame artists for any unwanted situation that happens inside or outside the border. According to the latest twist in the story of the threats given by the MNS, Salman Khan has spoken in the support of Pakistani artists and has reportedly requested, Raj Thackeray, the national party's president to let their new films release peacefully. Not to mention, Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan have 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and 'Raees' respectively slated to release in coming months.

Salman Khan said artists are not terrorists and they come to India on legal papers like valid visa and work permit given by Indian government. He said they all are just artists and artists believe in peace and deliver peace. However, the latest development in the story suggests that MNS has also threatened Salman Khan for backing Pakistani artists and speaking in their favor.

Ameya Khopkar, the chief of the MNS says Indians have anti-Pakistan feelings following the loss of 18 Indian soldiers who were killed as the result of terror in Jammu and Kashmir which they believe was done by Jaish Mohammed group that's based in Pakistan. The MNS leader then called upon all Pakistani artists working in Bollywood films or Indian television shows to go back to Pakistan and threatened them to face the unpleasant results otherwise.

Furthermore, they also warned they wouldn't let any Bollywood movies release that feature Pakistani actors or singers. The party insisted their message applies to Pakistani singers and sportspersons as well. The singers that are based in India or frequently visit the country for their assignments are Ali Zafar, Salman Ahmad, Shafqat Amanat Khan, Atif Aslam, Ali Azmat and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Besides, Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan are among the actors whose Indian films are either in process or ready to release soon.

The MNS didn’t only order the artists to quit their country but also threatened to stop shooting of films or television shows where Pakistani actors are working. They said if they find anyone in India after their given deadline, then their activists will deal with them in their own way.

According to Thackeray, the vice president of the party, no one should take it as a veiled threat because it is a direct challenge to the producers who are in continuous process of prompting Pakistani artists through their films and television shows. In addition to ordering the artists and producers, the party has also written harsh letters to each production house and has asked them not to offer Pakistani artists any kind of work.

Besides the MNS, another national party is in the same process of anti-Pakistan acts whose vice president Vageesh Saraswat told the media that their party doesn’t want any Pakistani artists live or work in their country, and has been already issuing similar warnings for couple of years.

Vageesh Saraswat said his party has given Pakistanis including singers, actors and production units a specific deadline this time and they must remember the countdown has begun. They must pack-up their luggage and go back to Pakistan in 48 hours; they otherwise would chase them away.

This is not first time when Indian national parties like the MNS have aggressively perused Pakistani celebrities and threatened them for facing unpleasant consequences. Shiv Sena has many times forcefully stopped Pakistani singers and actors from visiting Maharashtra. Their aggression rendered Ghulam Ali, the famous Pakistani Ghazal singer to call off his slated gigs in Mumbai and Pune last year while his public engagement in India was also cancelled due to same attitude earlier this year.

On the other hand, the law officials in Mumbai on Friday told the media that each foreign national including Pakistani passport holders who are currently residing in Mumbai and have valid visa and other necessary documents provided by the Indian government shouldn't worry for these threats. The Mumbai Police said they would provide adequate protection to every foreign national in the city as and when needed.