New Delhi, In a notable legal development, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed a plea seeking a comprehensive ban on Pakistani artists from performing or working in the country. The bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, expressed its reluctance to overturn the Bombay High Court’s decision, which had earlier rejected the plea filed by Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, asserting his identity as a cine worker and artiste.
The court, in its guidance, urged against adopting a narrow-minded perspective, emphasizing that true patriotism does not necessitate animosity towards individuals from other countries, particularly neighboring nations. The Bombay High Court’s rationale for dismissing the petition was centered on its belief that the sought-after reliefs were regressive and counterproductive to promoting cultural harmony.
The petitioner’s appeal included a request for the court to direct the central government to impose a complete ban on Indian citizens, entities, and associations from engaging with Pakistani artists, including cine workers, singers, musicians, lyricists, and technicians.
The Bombay High Court, in its earlier ruling, highlighted the importance of activities like arts, music, sports, culture, and dance, transcending national boundaries and contributing to peace, tranquility, unity, and harmony within and between nations. The court underscored the positive role of such endeavors in fostering a sense of peace, as exemplified by India’s participation in the Cricket World Cup with Pakistan.
This Supreme Court decision reinforces the significance of promoting inclusivity and cross-cultural interactions, aligning with constitutional principles aimed at fostering international peace and cooperation.
