Forget MNS, isolating Pakistani artists and cricketers is Shiv Sena's idea, claims Sanjay Raut

Soon after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) issued a 48-hour ultimatum to all the Pakistani artists working in India to leave the country, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut claimed that his party has been opposing Pakistan for 25 years and it doesn't need to protest because 'some other party is protesting'.

"Forget about MNS, this entire idea is ours of not letting artists singers or cricketers come here. Just because we are in the government our agenda has not changed. We still work on what we say," said Sanjay Raut.

When asked why wasn't Shiv Sena protesting against Pakistani artists working in India after Uri attacks , Raut asserted, "don't talk of today, look at the last 25 years. Just because some other party is protesting we will not protesting too."

ISOLATING PAKISTANI ARTISTS IS SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Raut further said that Shiva Sena is not silent and the responsibility of isolating Pakistani artists and cricketers should be a shared responsibility of everyone.

"Who said we are silent? We opposed ex-foreign minister of Pakistan Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and a Pakistani ghazal singer. Isolation of that country should start from isolating their artists and cricketers. And this responsibility starts from big film producers like Karan Johar and others. Are they not Indians? Don't they feel what happened in Uri was wrong?" he said.

However, he further added that it was the responsibility of the BJP led government both at Centre and state to take a stand and start its job of isolating the country.

"The Fadnavis and Modi government should announce that there will be no relationship with Pakistan from now on. Neither our artists will go there nor will they come here. Government should announce the name of all those film makers who have hired Pakistan people. The entire list should be out before the public. The films with these artists should allow to be exhibited. The government should show thru their action what they are saying," he added.

Responding over the reports that Mumbai police will be providing security to artists from Pakistan who are working here on valid papers, Raut said, "This is not our government, we are only supporting the government. It's the BJP government at Centre. In Maharashtra BJP chief minister and home minister are holding the office and what they feel should be brought forth before the public. They can't hold a dual stand on the issue."

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