This refers to the editorial, “Anything can happen, sir” (February 5). There can be no denial of the fact that artistes from Pakistan have always been welcomed in India with open arms and Pakistani artistes have acknowledged Indian hospitality. The ‘refusal' of visa by Pakistan to noted actor Anupam Kher is unfortunate as Mr Kher was formally invited to the Karachi literature Festival. However, this was not enough. The Pakistan High Commission's claim that Mr Kher never submitted his visa application added insult to the injury.
Meanwhile, a belated realisation of the faux pas necessitated the Pakistan High Commissioner to call up the actor and offer him the visa, which the latter politely and justifiably spurned. The editorial has rightly observed that those who had raised voices of concern over intolerance meted out to Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, which culminated in the cancellation of his performance in Mumbai, should also have done the same for Mr Kher, as what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.