Press Statement: May 14 2018
Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
We are shocked to learn that Moneeza Hashmi, eminent Pakistani media personality, was not allowed to speak at the 15th Asia Media Summit, where she had been invited as a speaker. Reportedly, even her Delhi hotel booking wasn’t made.
This behavior brings Shame to not only the organisers, but also to all Indians. It is reported that the I & B ministry & Prasar Bharati, the hosts, did not permit her to speak & the organisers, Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, were helpless.
If true, this is an insult to a guest. This govt claims to value our ancient values. One of them is atithi devo bhava, the guest is like God.
Moneeza Hashmi is the daughter of the noted revolutionary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, who is loved in India. This boorish conduct is an insult to him and to all poets.
Whatever the political problems this government has with its Pakistani counterpart, it cannot vent its venom on artists from our neighbouring country, or even on ordinary people.
We demand that the I&B ministry & Prasar Bharti formally apologise to Ms Hashmi. As Indian journalists, we issue her an unconditional apology.
Signed by:
- Jyoti Punwani
- Gurbir Singh
- Kumar Ketkar
- Jatin Desai
- Rajdeep Sardesai
- Kalpana Sharma
- Manoj Mitta
- Joel Rebello
- Rachita Prasad
- Ketan Tanna
- Pragati Bankhele
- Ammu Joseph
- Vignesh Iyer
- Meena Menon
- Sahil Joshi
- Prakash Akolkar
- Dushyant
- Norma G.
- Sangeeta Barooah Pishroty
- Sarika Sharma
- Vishav Bharti
- Vipul Mudgal
- Sharda Ugra
- Rosamma Thomas
- Neeta Kolhatkar
- Satyen Bordoloi