“At this time, I would say no:” Javed Akhtar calls for ban on Pakistani artists in India

Indian poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar recently voiced his opinion on the cultural exchange between India and Pakistan, particularly regarding artists. He remarked that while India has consistently welcomed Pakistani artists with open arms and offered them immense respect, this goodwill has not been reciprocated by Pakistan.

Amid escalating tensions between the two countries following the Pahalgam attack, Akhtar was interviewed by an Indian outlet and asked whether Pakistani artists should continue to be allowed to work in India given the volatile situation.

He categorically stated that Pakistani artists should not be allowed to perform or collaborate in India under the current circumstances.

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Recalling several renowned Pakistani figures, he said, "The first question should be whether we should allow the Pakistani artists here. There are two answers, both of them are equally logical. It has been a one way traffic, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali, Noor Jahan came to India, we gave them a great reception... Faiz Ahmad Faiz, who is a poet of subcontinent, he was living in Pakistan, when he came to India during the AB Vajpayee regime, he was treated like a state head, the kind of respect given by the government."

Akhtar expressed regret over what he called Pakistan's lack of reciprocity, citing the example of legendary Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar. " I am afraid, this has never been reciprocated, I mean, I have no complain with the people of Pakistan. Big poets of Pakistan has written for the songs of Lata Mangeshkar. She was hands down most popular artist in India and Pakistan in the 60's and 70's, but why there was not a single performance of Lata Mangeshkar in Pakistan? I won't complain to people of Pakistan, she was loved, but there was some blockage, the blockage was system, which I don't understand," he stated.

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Calling the exchange "one-way traffic," he added, "I if we block Pakistani artists, who are we pleasing in Pakistan? The Army and the fundamentalist, this is what they want? They want distance, it suits them. Both these questions are equally valid. At this moment, I would say no.”

It is pertinent to note that Javed Akhtar has visited Pakistan in the past as a guest at various literary festivals, where he received a warm welcome. However, he has remained a vocal critic of Pakistan and its founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.