‘Nation comes first’: FWICE announces ban on Pakistani artists in India

Ashoke Dubey, the General Secretary of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has declared a ban on Pakistani artists working in India. The decision comes after the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 souls and injured many on April 22.

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Dubey further warned that if any Indian national is abetting Pakistani artists, action will be taken against them, too. "Since this is a matter of national interest, the nation comes first. The continuous attacks, including the recent one in Pahalgam on our tourists, are shameful. We have again issued a press release stating that if any of our members are found working with Pakistani artists or technicians, we will take action against them and stop working with them," he said in a conversation with ANI.

The general secretary continued: "In the letter to the I&B Minister, we also said that a notification should be issued. Humara koi bhi sadasya, Hindustan ka koi bhi sadasya agar unke saath kaam kar raha hai, toh uske upar desh droh ka mukadma kiya jaye taaki wo aage se ye sab cheez karne se pehle 1000 baar sochne par (If any member from India works with Pakistani artists, a case of treason should be filed against them so that they think a thousand times before doing it)."

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Two days after the attack, FWICE imposed a “blanket boycott” on the Fawad Khan-starrer Abir Gulaal. The film marked the actor’s comeback to the Indian stage after a nine-year hiatus. He had previously faced a similar situation when the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil coincided with the 2016 Uri attack. Dubey said a letter was sent to Vivek Agarwal, the producer of Abir Gulaal, stating that FWICE would “cease cooperation with every unit member associated” if they released the film. Abir Gulaal was slated to release on May 9.

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