Cricket fans around the world are paying attention to the ICC World Cup that is currently taking place in India, but it has also evolved into a proving ground for India and Pakistan’s diplomatic ties.
A petition to prevent Pakistani musicians from entering India during the World Cup was just rejected by the Indian court.
Self-described film worker and artist Faiz Anwar Qureshi, who filed the plea, expressed worry that permitting Pakistani artists to be present in India during the World Cup may restrict prospects for Indian artists to find work.
The petitioner specifically sought the Bombay High Court to bar Pakistani artists, singers, songwriters, and technologists from visiting India, particularly if they had received invitations from Indian people and businesses.
However, the plea was emphatically dismissed by a division bench made up of Justices Sunil Shukre and Firdous Pooniwala.
The court argued that such a prohibition would be detrimental to encouraging cross-cultural exchange and fortifying connections with Pakistan and India.
The judges emphasized the idea that being a patriot need not entail prejudice towards foreigners, particularly those from close neighbours.
They stated that rather than being a danger to Indian artists’ economic prospects, the presence of Pakistani artists should be considered as a chance for cultural exchange.
Several Pakistani YouTubers, including Nader Ali, Momin Saqib, and Ducky Bhai, reportedly filed for Indian visas to travel to India for the World Cup, but their requests were denied by the Indian authorities.
This decision was made in response to those reports.
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