My resignation from IMMPA: Post ban on Pakistani artists

To [The President, IMPPA Mumbai]

Sir,

With utmost respect and humility, I would like to tender in my resignation from the executive body of Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) following the ban on Pakistani artists in the Indian film industry.

I strongly feel that art is above politics, and as the custodians of this art, it is our responsibility to bring people together rather than divide them.

We all agree that the people of these two nations are one and alike, thus it is the need of the hour for us to stick together. The Indian and Pakistani people are suffering from the same plague, which is fundamentalist terrorism. It is more important than ever for us not to fall prey to this calamity.

Banning one another is not the solution; rather bringing everyone together and showing the world that terrorism cannot divide these two great nations can become a beacon for acceptance and hope, two characteristics that are the complete opposites of the fundamentalists that want us to go to war with one another.

It is we the people of both the countries who have the power to bring real change. I believe this change could have been brought about by further strengthening our ties with Pakistani artists of all kinds and not banning them.

Rather than breeding discord, our actions and decisions should unite. Rather than hatred and war, our words should bring peace and harmony. And believe me when I say this, the common man of both these countries wants peace.

I do understand your position and you have to do what your members want. Since they do not see my point of view, I must humbly decide to not accept division but vote for unity and to not accept hate but put my hands forward in acceptance.

Since the people who elected me to this valuable post do not see my viewpoint, I take this as a personal failure and am no longer useful to your esteemed executive body.

Therefore, it is with great sadness that I must announce that am not able to continue my relationship with the IMPPA. Though I strongly condemn the terrorist attack, I believe that the soft power of art is sometimes more effective than the hard line of sanctions and war.

Kindly accept my resignation.

Regards

Rahul Aggarwal

Member of the Executive Body

Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA)

(A version of this post first appeared on Rahul Aggarwal's Facebook page.)

Also read: Let Fawad Khan stay in India, you can ban the rest of Pakistani artists