Anupam Kher asks Pakistan if visa was denied as he may expose their terror nexus ? Pakistan High Commission denied this but the actor alleged that they are lying . Kher was the only one whose visa has not been cleared among the 18 Indians invited to the four-day festival by the organisers . The other 17 Indian participants who has been given visas are Noor Zaheer, Nandita Das, Barkha Dutt, Salman Khurshid, Divya Shah, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, Sanjay Rajoura, Saif Mehmood, Ruchira Gupta, Ruby Dhingra Agarwal, Anuradha Joshi, Sameer Bagai, Atar Srinivasan, Arshia Sartaj and others.
Kher told that he was very saddened by the development as he was looking forward to participate in the festival and use the platform to dispel misunderstandings in the minds of people there. As to why his visa has not been issued, Kher said, “I wish I knew. I am wondering if it is because I am a Kashmiri Pandit or because of my views on the tolerance debate in India.” Kher said the visa denial has left the festival organisers embarrassed and they have apologised to him.
Kher claimed that he has been denied visa as he talks about India openly and is a Kashmiri Pandit who may expose Pakistan's terror nexus. He also tweeted asking Pakistan the reason for rejecting him the visa. "Has my visa been denied because I speak about India's rich tradition of tolerance or I am a Kashmiri Pandit who may expose Pak terror nexus? Indian Govt welcomes Pakistan based writers, artists, actors etc. Pakistan Govt. bans entry of Indian actors. Why fear a free dialogue? Didn't Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs red flag my name to Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi? Why hide facts deliberately? (sic)," he questioned.
HAPPY MOMENTS FOR PRO PAKISTANI
While Pakistan High Commission asked Kher to produce a proof that he applied for visa, Kher said the event organisers applied on his behalf. On the Pakistan High Commission's denial that the actor did not apply for a visa and asked him to produce a proof, Kher said that there was no need for him to personally apply as the event organisers did it. As per the often followed procedure, the organisers of many events
apply for visa for guests who they invite.
Kher has claimed that his name was on the posters that were published for the event. "Had they not applied for my visa, why would they print my name. 17 out of the 18 guests have got their visa, but only I have been denied the permission," he said.