In Mumbai there is outrage after a Pakistani stand up comedian Shakeel Siddiqui
was forcibly removed from a TV set by members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
(MNS).The act by Raj Thackeray's men has received a divided response from
Mumbai's artistic community.Some like flute maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia
have strongly condemned the action."I will really respect and appreciate their
coming in my country. They would be my guests. Just because a few people decide
to spread terror does not make a terrorist out of all Pakistanis," said Pandit
Chaurasia.But many others, especially from the film and TV industry, supported
the move in the wake of the recent terror strikes, even though they didn't
agree with the methods."It's not the fault of the Pakistani artists. But there
is bound to be anger. These people should be respectfully sent back," said
Khayyam, musician."I had mentioned it before that these artists should not play
with fire. We Indians are a little outraged. Let things come back to normal,"
said Pandit Jasraj, musician.Shakeel Siddiqui was shooting for a show for a
television channel when MNS activists demanded he leave the country.As per
sources, no complaint has been filed with the police but the comedian
immediately returned to Pakistan.The television channel spoke out in support of
the decision to hire the actor."Shakeel was in India on an official visa. We
can't hold every Pakistani responsible for the attack. Unless the government
decides to severe all ties with Pakistan, why should anyone else decide what
should be done?" said channel sources.Sportspersons and musicians from across
the border have in the past been targeted by the Shiv Sena. Now the MNS has
taken over.Meanwhile, Maharashtra Home Minister Jayant Patil has virtually
justified the act. He said that anger against Pakistani artists reflected
public sentiment after 26/11 and would die down in time. When asked if the
state would act against the MNS, he said he still had to examine the issue.
