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Ashoke Dubey of FWICE demands a ban on Pakistani artists in India after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. FWICE warns members against collaborating with them.
After Pahalgam Attack, FWICE Calls For Blanket Ban On Pakistani Artistes: ‘Nation Comes First’
In the wake of the devastating April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, Ashoke Dubey, General Secretary of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), has demanded a total ban on Pakistani artists working in India.
Ashoke, while speaking to ANI, said, “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.”
Ashoke Dubey also revealed that FWICE is taking formal steps to enforce the proposed ban by sending letters to all affiliated industry associations. He added that the federation has written to the Information and Broadcasting Minister, urging the government to issue a directive declaring that any Indian artist collaborating with Pakistani performers should face charges of treason.
“We are writing letters to all the associations affiliated with us. If anyone is found engaging in such activities again, they will not be allowed to work in the industry,” Ashoke said.
“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),” he added.
Earlier on Thursday, sources in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting hinted that the upcoming film Abir Gulaal, featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, would not be cleared for release in India.
Reacting to this, Ashoke Dubey told ANI that FWICE had already reached out to the film’s producer, Vivek Agarwal, urging him to shelve the release. “We’ve sent a letter asking him not to go ahead with it. If he does, FWICE will stop cooperating with every unit member involved in the project,” he warned.
“The film Abir Gulaal was set to release on the 9th. Vivek Agarwal, the producer, was sent a letter from us. We also wrote to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. We wrote a letter to Vivek stating that you cannot work with Pakistani artists in this manner. If you release this film, we will also cease cooperation with every unit member associated with it, whether it be the cameraman or the director. We asked the I&B ministry to ban this film,” Ashoke said.