One Way Traffic: Javed Akhtar on Pak Artists Working in India
The recent ghastly terror attack in Pahalgam has sent shockwaves across the country, and the aftermath has seen a renewed focus on the fragile relationship between India and Pakistan. In this tense atmosphere, veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has weighed in on the issue of Pakistani artists working in India, stating that they should not be allowed to do so.
Akhtar’s statement was made in response to the terror attack, which left several innocent people dead and many more injured. His comments have sparked a heated debate, with some arguing that art and politics should be kept separate, while others have expressed their support for the veteran lyricist’s stance.
In an interview with a leading publication, Akhtar said, “It has been a one-way traffic. Artists came to India, we gave them great respect, but why there was not a single performance of Lata Mangeshkar in Pakistan?” He went on to emphasize that while Indian artists have been welcomed with open arms in Pakistan, Pakistani artists have not reciprocated in the same manner.
This is not the first time that Akhtar has spoken out on this issue. In the past, he has been vocal about the lack of cultural exchange between India and Pakistan, and has called for greater reciprocity in the arts. His comments have been welcomed by many who feel that the current situation is unfair, and that Pakistani artists should not be allowed to benefit from the hospitality and respect shown to them in India without giving anything back.
One of the main points that Akhtar has made is that while Indian artists have performed in Pakistan and have received a warm welcome, there has been no similar gesture from Pakistani artists. He has pointed out that Lata Mangeshkar, a legendary Indian singer, has never been invited to perform in Pakistan, despite being one of the most iconic and respected artists in the country.
Akhtar’s comments have also been seen as a response to the growing trend of Pakistani artists performing in India. In recent years, several Pakistani musicians and actors have performed in India, often to great acclaim. However, Akhtar has argued that this is not a two-way street, and that Pakistani artists are not reciprocating in the same manner.
The issue of cultural exchange between India and Pakistan is a complex one, and there are those who argue that art and politics should be kept separate. However, Akhtar’s comments have highlighted the fact that the current situation is one-sided, and that Pakistani artists are not giving back to India in the same way that Indian artists have given to them.
One of the main concerns is that by allowing Pakistani artists to perform in India, the government is sending a message that it is willing to overlook the country’s poor human rights record and its history of sponsoring terrorism. Akhtar has argued that this is a dangerous precedent, and that it sends the wrong message to the rest of the world.
In conclusion, Javed Akhtar’s comments on Pakistani artists working in India have sparked a heated debate, and have highlighted the complex and often fraught relationship between the two countries. While some have argued that art and politics should be kept separate, Akhtar has emphasized that the current situation is one-sided, and that Pakistani artists should not be allowed to benefit from the hospitality and respect shown to them in India without giving anything back.
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