Members of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and its 24 crafts associations of the film and television industry participated in a peace march at the Film City Gate on Sunday to pay homage to the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack and express solidarity with their families.
Cricketers join in
Between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., no film shooting took place across the country as a mark of solidarity. More than 200 people, including cricketers like Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina, participated in the march in the city. From the film industry, actors Isha Koppikar, Gajendra Chauhan, Govind Namdev and music composer Salim Merchant were some of the well-known names who lent their support.
Ashoke Pandit, chief advisor, FWICE, said the association has called for a complete ban on all artistes from Pakistan. “Producers who insist on working with artistes from Pakistan will face a ban from FWICE,” he said.
Cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Virender Sehwag during the march on Sunday.
B.N. Tiwari, president, FWICE, said the organisation wants to express its power and showcase its unity. “We are a federation of about five lakh workers. While the entire nation is saddened with the demise of brave soldiers, we would like to use our power and ban any Pakistani artiste from working on film sets,” Mr. Tiwari said.
‘Won’t spare Sidhu’
Mr. Tiwari said the organisation had earlier sent a letter to Sony Entertainment Television demanding the removal of Navjot Singh Sidhu from a show on the channel for his remarks over the attack. “We won’t spare him. We won’t spare anyone who does not empathise with our forces and holds anti-national views,” he said.
Ashok Dubey, general secretary, FWICE, said “We won’t be working with any music company which collaborates with Pakistani artistes from now on.”
The participants in the march held placards and shouted slogans against Pakistan, terrorism, Jaish-E-Mohammed — the terror outfit which has claimed responsibility for the attack — and Hafiz Saeed, co-founder of militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba. Many waved the Tricolour to mark their respect to the nation and the brave armed forces.
