Pak artistes not terrorists: Salman

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan on Friday said that Pakistani artistes are not terrorists and both terrorism and art are two different subjects which should not be mixed, at a press conference in New Delhi.

Salman Khan was in the national capital to launch a ‘Being Human’ jewellery range.

“They come to India with visa. Who gives them the visa? Our (Indian) government gives them the visa. The government gives them the work permit,” said Salman Khan when asked about his take on the ban of Pakistani artistes.

“They are artistes. What do you think? Are artistes terrorists?” asked Salman.

His remarks are in response to The Indian Motion Picture Producers Association resolution, passed on Thursday, which banned Pakistani actors from the Indian film industry in the wake of the militant attack on Uri. The resolution came after Indian Army announced that seven terror launch pads were targeted across the LoC by special forces during a ‘surgical strike’.

Commenting on the surgical strikes carried out by India, Salman said, “The ideal situation would have been of peace. Now when this has happened, then obviously, there will be a reaction to this action. In these days and this age, I think if we live with love and peace, then it will be better for everyone, especially for the common man.” He, however, justified the surgical strikes, saying it targeted the terrorists who killed 19 Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi welcomed Khan’s remarks on Pakistani artistes, while there was subdued criticism from the Raj-Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The Shiv Sena, however, taunted the actor and advised him to take lessons on national pride from his father Salim Khan.

Welcoming his stand, Azmi said, “Our fight is against Pakistan and we are proud of our soldiers for going into Pakistan-occupied territory and killing the terrorists. But, when we are talking about those who are here on valid visas for either work purpose or medical treatment, it is our duty to welcome them with open arms.” “When we give these Pakistanis a good treatment, they will go back to their country and condemn the atrocities perpetrated by them on our soil. When Pakistanis say good things about our country, it will be that country which will be embarrassed on the global front,” he told reporters.