Don’t need to prove my nationality: Nandita Das' stinging response to Anupam Kher

My response to the Pakistan visa issue of Anupam Kher:

As a firm believer of people-to-people initiatives, I want to be very clear that anybody’s visa, especially those of artists, being denied is detrimental to the process of dialogue.

At the time I made my comments, it was not clear if the visa was denied or Mr Kher had not sent his documents in the first place. For the moment let us assume that the Pakistani bureaucracy came in the way of this cultural event.

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As an artist, I 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.

This perception of animosity helps no one and those of us who are in the public domain need to be responsible enough to not fan it.

I was disappointed to hear what Mr Kher had to say on television. If we dismiss those we disagree with as anti-nationals, we risk diminishing the possibility of dialogue and it invites shrill abuses. I don’t feel the need to prove my nationality in public debates.

My work, my life is reflective of my cultural and national identity and we have to draw a line between jingoism and nationalism.

And I only want to reiterate that whenever the two countries have the possibility of artistic exchange, we should do our best to enable them. Surely this sentiment is not any different than what the Indian government's recent diplomatic efforts signal.

I have been unwell since Wednesday 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 could participate and the intent with which the literature fest was organised, was upheld.

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It is unfortunate that Mr Kher's reaction and comments in the media on the visa procedures have triggered anger and overshadowed the literature fest itself which is an independent event, fostering exchange of ideas, across the border.

Assuming he was denied the visa, without documents, hopefully there will now be pressure on both governments to make the visa process easier, more transparent and more people-friendly.

However, it wasn’t becoming of Mr Kher, a Padma Bhushan awardee, to say on television, "Nandita should be quiet."

Let’s live and let live. Let’s speak and let other voices be heard. But, of course, with utmost civility and with an intention to solve differences, not create them.

(This response first appeared on Das' Facebook page.)