Mumbai: Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher on Tuesday launched an attack on the Pakistan government after he was denied a visa to the country, where he had to attend an event on February 5.
Kher, who was invited by the organisers of a literary festival in Karachi, claimed that he was the only one singled out of 18 delegates who had applied for the Pakistan visa. Hurt and saddened by the incident, Kher accused that his visa denial might have to do something of his pro-pandit stance.
This was not the first time when Anupam was denied the visa to Pakistan. Last year in May, he was denied the Pakistan visa when he had to attend a literary festival in Lahore. However then, the decision was taken keeping the security reasons in mind.
Saddened and upset over the incident, Kher today launched an attack on Pakistan authorities over the visa-denial incident. Here's the top five statements that were given by the 60-year-old actor.
1.I am not angry with anyone but I'm very upset and disappointed that out of 18 participants, 17 were given visa while I was denied.
2.I did not personally ask for a visa, the organizers of the Karachi Literature Festival did. But, for last 15 days, all my visa documents were ready.
3.Was my visa cancelled because I have spoken about the tolerance debate in India or because I am a Kashmiri Pandit? Also, I was probably the only Bollywood actor who wrote an open letter condemning the terror attack on Peshawar school.
4.The organiser of the Karachi Literary Festival Amina ji said that Pakistani government officials told her to not invite Anupam Kher for the event. I have no idea why they said so. I salute Amina ji, the organizer of Karachi Literary Festival, she categorically blamed Pakistan High Commission.
5.Earlier, I said I look forward to visit Pakistan in future. However, I have changed my plans. I will not go to Pakistan even if I get a visa.
