New Delhi, 28 November: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday rejected a plea that called for a complete ban on Pakistani artists from performing or working in India. The bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, dismissed the plea filed by Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, a cine worker and artist.
The court advised Qureshi against having a narrow-minded perspective and refused to expunge certain comments made by the Bombay High Court against him. Qureshi’s petition urged the court to direct the central government to impose a ban on Indian entities from engaging with Pakistani artists, citing patriotism as the reason.
However, the Bombay High Court had earlier dismissed the plea, emphasizing that patriotism does not entail animosity towards individuals from foreign countries, especially neighbouring ones.
It stated that true patriotism involves promoting peace, harmony, and tranquillity through activities such as arts, music, sports, culture, and dance.
The court also highlighted the positive impact of Pakistan’s participation in the Cricket World Cup and attributed it to the Indian government’s efforts to promote international peace and security. The court stressed the importance of cultural exchange in fostering unity and harmony within and between nations.
