Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Despite having worked extensively in the Hindi film industry, singer Mika Singh has once again raised questions over what he described as the “double standards” surrounding Pakistan and Pakistani artists. Taking a sarcastic swipe at singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, Mika had earlier questioned his alleged silence on patriotic films associated with India and Bollywood while speaking in support of Pakistani artists. Now, he has turned the spotlight on what he sees as a difference in the way people perceive Muslims from Pakistan and those living in Dubai.

Mika Singh has had a relatively positive personal experience with Pakistan. He visited the neighbouring country in 2019 and recently revisited memories from that trip while sharing his views on the issue. Recalling his experience, the singer said he was deeply impressed by the way Muslims in Pakistan took care of gurdwaras and extended their support in maintaining these religious places.

It was while speaking about that experience that Mika expressed his disappointment over what he considers a contrasting attitude towards Pakistani Muslims and Muslims living in Dubai. He said that he has never been able to understand why people tend to view the two groups so differently.

During a conversation with a national media outlet, the 50-year-old singer elaborated on his experience in Pakistan and said that neither Pakistan nor its people should automatically be viewed negatively. Recalling his 2019 visit, Mika said he had received a warm welcome there and had witnessed Muslims actively participating in the upkeep and service of gurdwaras.

Mika recalled, “When I visited Pakistan, many of our Muslim brothers served at the gurdwaras. They also helped with cleaning and other services.”

While discussing his experience, Mika also referred to Guru Nanak Dev and highlighted the importance of respecting the traditions, heritage and religious practices of different communities. He maintained that his personal experience did not support the idea that Pakistan or its people were inherently bad.

Mika said, “Pakistan is not bad. The people of Pakistan are not bad in any way either. But even today I do not understand why we consider Muslims from Pakistan to be bad, while Muslims in Dubai are seen as very good in our eyes. I have still not understood the reason behind this.”

His remarks come against the backdrop of his own controversial experience with the Indian film industry following his visit to Pakistan in 2019. On August 8 that year, Mika Singh performed at a pre-wedding function in Karachi. Videos from the event later surfaced online and triggered a major controversy in India.

Following the incident, several organisations associated with the Indian film industry announced a boycott of the singer. At a time when tensions between India and Pakistan were high, industry bodies had criticised Mika for performing at the event, alleging that he had prioritised financial considerations over the prevailing sensitivities surrounding bilateral relations.

Mika’s latest comments have once again brought the complicated relationship between India, Pakistan and the entertainment industry into focus. His remarks about his personal experience in Pakistan, particularly his observations about Muslims helping maintain gurdwaras, have also sparked discussion about religious perceptions, cultural interactions and the way communities are viewed across different countries.

The singer’s comments are likely to generate further debate, particularly as the Indian entertainment industry continues to remain sensitive about artists’ associations with Pakistan amid political and diplomatic tensions between the two countries.