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After Anupam Kher, Nandita Das to also miss KLF

After Anupam Kher, Nandita Das to also miss KLF

Das says decision comes due to illness and is not connected to Anupam Kher's alleged visa denial.
Updated 04 Feb, 2016

KARACHI: Indian activist and actor Nandita Das on Thursday announced she will not be attending the Karachi Literature Festival, scheduled to begin from tomorrow, due to bad health.

The actor made the announcement on her Facebook page, citing only medical reasons for her refusal to attend the fest.

Das went on to explain that her decision to not attend the event was not in any way related to the Anupam Kher fiasco, who was allegedly denied Pakistani visa to attend the literature festival in Karachi.

"I have been unwell since yesterday and unfortunately I am unable to go Karachi. I felt terrible letting down the organisers but it’s beyond my control. I had offered to do the sessions via Skype to make sure one can participate and the intent with which the Lit Fest is organised, is upheld," read the post.

About the Anupam Kher's visa issue, Das explained that even if Pakisan's bureaucracy came in the of way of issuance of visa, she would separate this bureaucratic roadblock from genuine efforts to strengthen friendship between the two countries.

"People’s intention and efforts build bridges and have to be separated from government policies and positions," said Nandita.

Related: Kher claims he’s been denied Pakistan visa

Bollywood veteran Anupam Kher had said on Tuesday he had been denied visa for Pakistan, where he was invited to participate festival beginning on Feb 5, because the “Pakistan's interior ministry did not issue a no-objection certificate” for his visa.

Following a vitriol on Twitter against the alleged visa denial, Kher also addressed a press conference, where he read out his correspondence with the KLF organisers in Pakistan.

Nandita and Kher were two of the several luminaries from India, including transgender rights activist Laxmi Tripathi and Indian journalist Barkha Dutt, who are scheduled to speak at the KLF this weekend.

Comments

AIZ Feb 04, 2016 08:02pm
Not surprised
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Masood Hussain Feb 04, 2016 08:46pm
I LIKe Anupam as an artist but started disliking him since he turned politician.
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Sarwar, USA. Feb 04, 2016 09:03pm
Anupam kher you are not welcomed in Pakistan...
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Sunil Feb 04, 2016 09:11pm
Good Decision.
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siddartha Feb 04, 2016 09:19pm
I saw nandita on a program on tv today.
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Pratap Feb 04, 2016 09:25pm
it's okay when Pakistani artists go and earn in India. But Indian artists who do not hold the same views as us are not welcomed.
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toman Feb 04, 2016 09:27pm
It is important we stop issueing all visas until the kashmir isssue is resolved.
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Zak Feb 04, 2016 09:47pm
@toman agreed Kashmir for the kashmirs , let democratic process take place and Kashmiris decide, can't be any fairer than that.
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Bhaiya Feb 04, 2016 09:52pm
@Sarwar, USA. - Didn't you hear he is NOT coming?
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Ailly Feb 04, 2016 10:04pm
will certainly miss her... but not Anupam anymore since he is die hard anti neighbors...
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Zafrani Feb 04, 2016 10:07pm
Nandita Das we love you,get well soonest,and come to Pakistan,it's your second home.
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tariq Feb 04, 2016 11:11pm
it is unfortunate but it is her right and choice to attend or not to attend. nobody is indispensable. though, in my previous post i have mentioned that mr. kher should not have been denied visa to vist klf. we should "act" on our own thought and narrative and not "react" on what others think or do vis a vis india pakistan history of relationship or any other matter so to speak.
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Parvez Feb 04, 2016 11:15pm
I believe her.
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jeet Feb 04, 2016 11:25pm
Well done Nandita.....
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Akram Feb 04, 2016 11:49pm
Never heard her name before.
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Zak Feb 04, 2016 11:56pm
Get well lady, who ever you are. I only remember your face from Salman Ahmed's ( of junoon fame) song, where he visits India.
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anil sharma Feb 05, 2016 01:15am
KLF would not miss anything if Das and Kher do not attend the event.All the best. Go ahead folks with all the energy.
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Rohit Feb 05, 2016 02:33am
Anupam Kher should not have made so much fuss about visa refusal. Pakistan is well within its right to deny a visa but they should say so very clearly . After all what is wrong with it ? On the other hand many Pakistani artists go to India and make money also while Indians were only to attend a lit festival with no monetary gains. If Pakistan wanted to teach Anupam Kher a lesson they should understand he is not going to change his views nor his political or ideological leanings. But it might harden Indian officials stand against Visa applications from Pakistani nationals.
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Just here Feb 05, 2016 02:58am
Too much pressure to handl. She knows if she comes her campaign dark is beautiful is done.
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Tariq Feb 05, 2016 04:24am
nandita you need to relax.
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Optimistic Pakistani Feb 05, 2016 08:16am
@Pratap do any of those artist indulged in anti Indian statements like Anupam and what would be the reaction from Indian side if they did... would you welcome them in India. ..
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jawad Pakistani Feb 05, 2016 11:28am
No problem and get well soon your health is first!!! we love you Nandita Das! your the sweetest person in the world we adore you!
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M.N.Q Feb 05, 2016 06:36pm
Get well soon nandita... our society need the persons like you
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MA Feb 06, 2016 11:36am
Get the real Kashmir issued resolved. Forget this artists exchange and all
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Siri Feb 06, 2016 02:59pm
@Optimistic Pakistani Well said!
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jogagiri Feb 06, 2016 08:43pm
if you are an artist then be positive and liberal
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SwamyG Feb 06, 2016 10:41pm
Mr Kher is positioning himself for a BJP ticket to contest elections - so it seems; if not for some position in the government. Either that or he is returning the favor - of the national award that the government conferred on him! - SwamyG
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Sohail Feb 07, 2016 11:48am
This issue is really simple. 18 out of 19 people were issued visas. anupam Kher was not issued visa and rightfully so. When you choose to openly speak against a country, it's a choice you make. So be ready for the consequences of your choices. Yes India issues visa to Pakistani artists (and Pakistan does the same). But none of the Pakistani artists who work in India speak against India. If they do, india, rightfully so, should reject their visas as well. Anupam Kher is an artist, but he has expressed his critical views openly against Pakistan. So you can't, on one hand, speak against a country and Get angry when your visa is rejected by that country.
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Manoj Sharma Feb 07, 2016 05:53pm
Anupam kher never applied for visa!!
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Abdulla Hussain Feb 07, 2016 08:10pm
Benefit of doubt, her absence will make no difference in fact some eyebrows will get lifted connecting the two absence. She get well soon
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