Anupam Kher pulls out of literary event after second visa denial

Bollywood star Anupam Kher has pulled out of a literary event in Pakistan after officials denied him a visa for the second time in a year.
The Indian actor was due to attend the Karachi Literature Festival as one of its star guests, but he announced on Tuesday (02Feb16) that staff at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) have refused him permission to enter the country.
Kher, who has won two of India’s prestigious National Film Awards during his career, alleges he has not been given a reason for the decision. In May last year (15), he was denied a Pakistan entry visa, with reports suggesting the decision was on security grounds.
The actor told a news conference on Tuesday, “I am not angry at anyone, I am hurt and saddened… I did not personally ask for a visa, the organisers of the Karachi Literature Festival did.
“For last 15 days, all my visa documents are ready. The organiser of the Karachi lit fest said that (Pakistan) government officials told her ‘don’t invite Anupam Kher’. I don’t know why.”
Earlier he had told fans of the news in a series of posts on Twitter.com, writing, “Have been informed that Pakistan MoFA has denied permission for my visa to participate in the Karachi Literature festival. Sad to have been denied visa on second time in a year, while around 17 people will participate in the Karachi Literature Festival as guests. Has my visa been denied because I speak about India’s rich tradition of tolerance or I am a Kashmiri Pandit who may expose Pak terror nexus?”
The three-day Karachi Literature Festival begins on Friday (05Feb16).