India bans Mika Singh for performing in Pakistan

One didn’t think popular Indian singer Mika Singh’s recent performance at a private event in Pakistan would throw him in so much hot water. Turns out, it has upset a lot of people in India who have set in motion processes to ensure that the singer gets no work there.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), the mother body of all the 24 crafts of filmmaking, has banned the singer from recording, performing, acting and playback singing in India.

The FWICE called Singh’s Pakistan performance as “anti-national, unpatriotic and ghastly” and has banned Singh and his crew members who took part in the performance from any performance, recording, playback singing and acting in India.

FWICE further said that anyone dealing with Singh will do so at their own risk and will be boycotted.

The federation moved against Singh, days after his performance at an event in Pakistan amid increased tensions between the neighbours after New Delhi revoked Article 370 that gave special status to occupied Kashmir.

FWICE was not the only association to act against Singh. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) also banned the singer from the Indian film industry.

The association has also requested the Information and Broadcasting ministry of India to look into the matter.

The singer's visit to Pakistan had been kept under wraps until videos of his performance leaked online.