Mumbai: On October 17, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition filed by Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, who identifies as a cine worker and artist, seeking a complete ban on Pakistani artists in India.

A division bench consisting of Justice Sunil Shukre and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla rejected the plea, deeming it a regressive measure against the promotion of cultural harmony and unity. The court emphasised that the petition lacked merit.

The bench further noted that domains such as arts, music, culture, and sports transcend national boundaries and contribute to peace and unity among different countries. They stated, “The petition is a retrograde step in promoting cultural harmony, unity and peace, and has no merit in it. A person who is good at heart would welcome in his country any activity which promotes peace, harmony, and tranquility within the country and across the borders. Arts, music, sports, culture, dance and so on are the activities which rise above nationalities, cultures and nations and truly bring about peace, tranquility, unity and harmony in nation and between nations.”

Qureshi’s petition called for the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue notifications restricting the issuance of visas to Pakistani artists.

In the plea, the petitioner referenced a resolution passed by the All-India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. He also noted similar resolutions from the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) and the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE), all of which prohibited Pakistani artists from participating in the Indian film industry. The MNS Cinema Wing also cautioned producers against employing Pakistani artists, as mentioned in the plea.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Vibhav Krishna, argued that allowing Pakistani artists to work in the Indian entertainment sector could result in discrimination against Indian artists. He pointed out that the favorable environment provided to Pakistani artists in India is not reciprocated for Indian artists in Pakistan. According to Krishna, the prohibition is essential to prevent Pakistani artists from seizing financial opportunities in India, which might potentially deprive Indian artists of similar chances.

Qureshi’s petition urged the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue notifications imposing restrictions on granting visas to Pakistani artists.

In the plea, the petitioner cited a resolution passed by the All-India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) following the Pulwama terror attack. He also highlighted comparable resolutions from the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) and the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE), all of which prohibited Pakistani artists from participating in the Indian film industry. The MNS Cinema Wing also advised producers against hiring Pakistani artists, as stated in the plea.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Vibhav Krishna, contended that permitting Pakistani artists to work in the Indian entertainment sector could lead to discrimination against Indian artists. He emphasised that the favorable treatment given to Pakistani artists in India is not reciprocated for Indian artists in Pakistan. According to Krishna, the prohibition is crucial to prevent Pakistani artists from availing financial opportunities in India, which might potentially deprive Indian artists of similar prospects.