'Intolerance' shifts to Pakistan, Anupam Kher alleges denying of visa

Amidst Pakistan High Commission's claims that actor Anupam Kher had never applied for visa to participate in the Karachi literary festival (KLF), starting February 5, the actor was livid, asking how other participants – including Barkha Dutt, Nandita Das and Salman Khurshid – got travel permission? Of the 18 Indians invited to the four-day festival, he was the only one singled out, alleges Kher.

Pakistan High Commission spokesperson Manzoor Ali Memon repeatedly said that his office never received Kher's application. "Therefore, the question of issuing or denying his visa does not arise," he said. "Please check out from him if he has any receipt," he added.

But Kher remained adamant, saying probably his working for the welfare of Kashmiri Pandits proved a disqualification.

While the issue remained curious, what is actually coming to the fore is that both Kher as well as the High Commission were correct. Kher had not applied for visa, instead the organisers of the KLF had sent a list to the Ministry of Interior in Pakistan for the approval, a normal course for seeking visas for academic and media programmes.

The practice is that the approved list is then forwarded to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) for political clearance, which then sends it to the High Commission for stamping of visa on the passport. A similar practice is in vogue in India as well, for granting visas to delegates or academics participating in events.

"We welcome their artistes in India. Even if there is an objection at one place, we welcome them at other places. But there is no reciprocity," the actor said. 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."

The KLF spokesperson said around 35 invitees from abroad are participating in the festival including from the US, Britain and Bangladesh besides India. Festival co-founder Ameena Saiyed also confirmed that Kher is not in the final list they received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after being vetted by the Ministry of Internal Security. "Well, I haven't been given the reasons. My own thinking is it's probably because of the statements he has been making in the last couple of weeks," she said.

She further said that Kher's coming to Karachi could have made a difference. "It might even have led to some change in his opinions or it might have changed or would have resulted in more understanding of his views, but it is only when you come face to face," she said.

Organised by the Oxford University Press, seventh edition of the KLF features a blend of authors and speakers including figures like Anwaar Ahmad, Anwar Masood, Hina Rabbani Khar Mohammed Hanif, Mustansar Hussain Tarar, Najmuddin Shaikh, Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, Noor ul Huda Shah, Saad Haroon, Sadia Shepard, Sahar Ansari, Sanam Saeed, besides Barkha Dutt, Nandita Das and Salman Khurshid.