The controversy over visa denial by Pakistan to actor Anupam Kher is unwarranted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was denied a visa by US authorities for many years and look at his popularity in that country today where he happens to be the most followed global leader in that country at the moment and his speeches and reception have unprecedented crowds.
Pakistan is a terror breeding nation and Anupam Kher should not put his feet on their soil in the first place because of his outspoken views about that country though every word what he uttered on Kashmir was absolutely correct. Even Pakistan top leaders including their Prime Minister and President are not safe in their country and less said the better about citizens from our country visiting their shores. Also, the Anupam Kher visa controversy is media hyped and the talented actor it seems is being asked to portray a script which he does in films for publicity which truly is sad.
How can Anupam Kher be denied a Pakistan visa when he has not applied for one in the first place? Not getting clearance from the Pakistanis is a different matter but it is a fact that he did not send his documents to the relevant embassies and the whole controversy one feels is irrelevant and unwarranted.
Pakistan economy thrives on militancy and terrorism and even their citizens are not safe on their shores. More bomb blasts and terror strikes takes place across the border than in India. Literary functions have no meaning there and my advise to all including those who have been granted visa is to refrain from travelling to that country and risk their lives in the bargain!
S.N. Kabra
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
