Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

Bollywood writers enraged by Trump's 'Anti-Muslim' policies

IANS, 06 Feb, 2017 01:11 PM
  • Bollywood writers enraged by Trump's 'Anti-Muslim' policies
The Screenwriters Association (SWA) of Bollywood here on Saturday expressed shock and outrage at what it termed "a thinly disguised anti-Muslim" ban announced by new US President Donald Trump.
 
SWA President Preeti Mamgain said discriminating against people on the basis of country, region or religion that they were born into, amounts to a violation of their natural freedom of movement and their human rights.
 
"Such xenophobic policies create and reinforce suspicion and hate among people, thereby legitimating prejudice and even inciting violence by demonizing certain communities and nationalities," Mamgain said in a strongly-worded SWA statement.
 
She said SWA stands in solidarity with their brother unions -- the Writers Guilds of America (East and West) and their screenwriting members -- which have publicly taken an unequivocal position, protesting and opposing the ban policies.
 
The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), New York President Michael Winship and Writers Guild of America West (WGAW), Los Angeles President Howard A. Rodman have released a joint statement condemning the recent order by President Trump.
 
"It is both unconstitutional and deeply wrong to say that you cannot enter our country because of where you were born or what religion you were born into," the WGAE and WGAW said, applauding the federal court's stay on deporting people being held at US airports to their countries.
 
The two guilds are also perturbed over reports that Asghar Farhadi, the 44-year-old Iranian director of the acclaimed 2016 film "The Salesman" -- nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category -- may be prevented from attending the awards ceremony later this year.
 
Iran is among the countries whose citizens are temporarily banned by a US executive order from entering that country.
 
"From its early days, the entertainment industry has been built by the imagination of immigrants. Our guilds are unions of storytellers who have always welcomed those from other nations of varying beliefs who wish to share their creativity with US. We are grateful to them, we stand with them, and we will fight for them," the guilds' joint statement added.
 
National Award winning lyricist-writer Swanand Kirkire and SWA executive member slammed Trump's move saying: "It's time that those who don't believe in hate politics come together and speak now. Until we do that, the politicians will keep playing with the fate of the humanity."
 
Renowned film writer Anjum Rajabali said the divisive positions and hate propaganda that Trump resorted to during his election campaign are now delivering on those shocking promises.
 
"While it is shocking, it isn't surprising. Unless voices of protest are heard loudly and repeatedly, each time such moves are made, our freedoms will shrink until they disappear," Rajabali warned.

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

Director Knows Best: Priya On Sanjay's Biopic

Director Knows Best: Priya On Sanjay's Biopic
Congress MP Priya Dutt, sister of actor Sanjay Dutt, says she doesnt want to interfere in the biopic made on the actor's life and feels director Raj Kumar Hirani knows what is best.

Director Knows Best: Priya On Sanjay's Biopic

People Aware, But Not Educated About Stand-up Comedy: Vir Das

People Aware, But Not Educated About Stand-up Comedy: Vir Das
Actor-comedian-singer Vir Das feels people are aware but not educated enough about stand-up comedy as a profession.

People Aware, But Not Educated About Stand-up Comedy: Vir Das

Rs 385 Crore And Still Earning! Aamir Khan To Host Success Party For 'Dangal'

Rs 385 Crore And Still Earning! Aamir Khan To Host Success Party For 'Dangal'
"Dangal" producers Aamir Khan and Siddharth Roy Kapur will host a grand party here on Saturday to celebrate the success of the movie, which has become the highest grossing Bollywood entertainer.

Rs 385 Crore And Still Earning! Aamir Khan To Host Success Party For 'Dangal'

Inspired By 'Kaabil', Hrithik Plans To Campaign For Disabled

Inspired By 'Kaabil', Hrithik Plans To Campaign For Disabled
Inspired by the contributions of the visually challenged to society, actor Hrithik Roshan intends to take the experience of filming "Kaabil" forward by campaigning for the disabled.

Inspired By 'Kaabil', Hrithik Plans To Campaign For Disabled

Kriti Sanon Dabbling Between 'Different Worlds'

Actress Kriti Sanon, who will next be seen in "Raabta" and "Bareilly Ki Barfi", has been busy shooting for both the films and dabbling between "different worlds".

Kriti Sanon Dabbling Between 'Different Worlds'

Comparison A Positive Compliment For A Film: Amit Sadh

Actor Amit Sadh, who will be seen in the romantic comedy "Runningshaadi.com", says comparing the film with the other movies like Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt starrer "Badrinath Ki Dulhania", is a positive sign.

Comparison A Positive Compliment For A Film: Amit Sadh