The question is too complicated without a shred of doubt and the answer is more difficult since there is hardly any straight answer to the same. Artists from the realm of Pakistan akin to their Indian counterparts are worshipers of music and culture and hence, they can be regarded as people who remain out of the periphery of politics. There can be another reason. Perhaps it is comparably easier for Indians to express their grudge against Pakistan through doing the same! There is no doubt in it that the Indian government has failed to adopt any tough measures against this country, getting recognized as blatant exporter of religion-based terrorism across the globe more and more.
However, there is another reality. In spite of recurring efforts from the Indian soil to diffuse tensions between the two neighboring counties at times and through inviting Pakistani artists to perform, there has not been any such major invitation to the Indian artists ever. All these indicate that there has been a one-sided effort altogether and in the words of noted ghazal exponent, Talat Aziz, there can’t be any peace through one-side endeavor; it has got to be reciprocal.
Ever since 26/11, sections of Bollywood have been campaigning to keep Pakistani artistes out of India and Mumbai. Ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali’s multi-city tour was abruptly cancelled, leaving the musician who has been to India, repeatedly dazed and hurt. But the ban-the-Paki brigade is relentless. Some feel this is just a ploy by an under-employed lazy brood of Bolly entertainers to gain advantage in a market, that’s fuelled by talent regardless of where it comes from. Adnan Sami recalls an amusing incident. On a flight from Karachi to Mumbai he spotted a Bollywood singer who had tirelessly tried to ban Adnan in Mumbai. Interestingly, a lot of musicians failed to reply to the survey. Maybe they were afraid to face the music.
Should Pakistani artists be prevented from performing in India then? This theory is unacceptable almost in every way. On one hand, it will malign India’s global reputation and on the other hand, it will prove that the country is too susceptible to terrorism, can’t defend itself anymore. India has to focus on to frustrate the nefarious designs.
