Pakistan denied me visa because I'm Kashmiri Pandit, says Anupam Kher

Mumbai: Pakistani High Comission in New Delhi has denied visa to Indian actor Anupam Kher. The actor is scheduled to attend a session at the Karachi literary festival on February 5.

Anupam claimed that only he has been singled out of the 18 delegates who applied for the visa. He said, "I am very sad and disappointed that out of 18 participants, 17 were given visa and I was denied."

He further added, "We welcome their artistes in India. If there are objections to their performance at one place in India they are welcome at other places but there is no reciprocity," he said. As to why his visa has not been issued, Kher said, "I wish I knew. I am wondering if it is because I am a Kashmiri Pandit or because of my views on the tolerance debate in India."

However, in an interesting turn of events, Pakistan HC said that they have received no visa application from Anupam Kher. Pakistan High Commission's head of media Manzoor Memon said, "Mr Anupum Kher has never submitted visa application to Pakistan High Commission. Please check out from him if he has any receipt."

Read: Anupam Kher calls Shashi Tharoor a 'Congi Chamcha'

The 60-year-old actor, who was awarded the Padma Bhushan recently, has been a vocal supporter of the BJP-led government at the Centre.

Recently, the actor was in news when he indulged in a war of words with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Twitter. The argument happened over the veteran actor's comment that he is scared to openly say he is a Hindu.

Anupam also sparked controversy at the Jaipur literary festival held last month. He sparred with Delhi minister Kapil Mishra over the limits imposed on freedom of speech and were joined in by a politically divided audience.