Indian court rejects request to ban Pakistani artists during WC

New Delhi: The ongoing ICC World Cup in India has captured the attention of cricket fans worldwide, but it's also become a testing ground for diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan.

In a recent development, the Indian court has dismissed a petition seeking to ban Pakistani artists from entering India during the World Cup.

The petitioner, self-proclaimed film worker and artist Faiz Anwar Qureshi, had raised concerns that allowing Pakistani artists to be present in India during the World Cup could potentially limit employment opportunities for Indian artists.

Specifically, the petitioner had urged the Bombay High Court to prevent Pakistani musicians, singers, songwriters, and technicians from entering India, especially those who were invited by Indian citizens and companies.

However, a division bench consisting of Justice Sunil Shukre and Justice Firdous Pooniwala categorically rejected the petition.

The court asserted that such a ban would be counterproductive to promoting cultural collaboration and strengthening ties within India and with Pakistan.

The judges emphasized the idea that patriotism does not require hostility towards foreigners, particularly people from neighboring countries.

They argued that the presence of Pakistani artists should be seen as an opportunity for cultural exchange rather than a threat to Indian artists' employment prospects.

The decision comes amid reports that several Pakistani YouTubers, including Nader Ali, Momin Saqib, and Ducky Bhai, had applied for Indian visas to attend the World Cup but had their applications rejected by the Indian authorities.