Days after Pakistan-backed militants attacked an Indian Army base in Uri, Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) today issued a 48 hour-ultimatum to all Pakistani artists working in India to immediately leave the country.
MNS Chitrapat Sena, an MNS-affiliate, also said that if the Pakistani artists don’t go back to their nation, will push them out of the country.
"We give a 48 hour deadline to Pakistani actors and artists to leave India or MNS will push them out," said Amey Khopkar, president of the outfit.
They have also claimed that they will not allow upcoming films ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ and ‘Raees’ to release as they have Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan respectively in them. While ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ is gearing up for release next month, ‘Raees’ will be releasing next year.
The warning from MNS comes at a time when tension between India and Pakistan are at an all-time high after four JeM terrorists killed 18 jawans in Uri.
India has blamed Pakistan for the attack saying the recovered weapons and ammunition bear Pakistani insignia. Pakistan has, however, rejected New Delhi's claims of involvement in the attack.
This is not the first time that Pakistani artists have been threatened by MNS or other political parties. Earlier, the ruling Shiv Sena had forced ghazal maestro Ghulan Ali to cancel his programme in Mumbai. They had even disrupted a meeting between the cricket officials of the two sides.
Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Ali Zafar, Veena Malik are among other actors who have tried their luck in Indian film industry.
