The Bombay High Court has rejected a plea to ban Pakistani artists from working in India.

The petition was made by Faaiz Anwar Qureshi—a self-proclaimed cine worker and artist.

Faaiz demanded that the Indian government bans professional associations with artists from Pakistan.

The bench comprising of Justices Sunil Shukre and Firdosh Pooniwalla stated that such a move would be taking a step back from fostering cultural harmony and unity both within the nation and also with Pakistan.

“One must understand that in order to be a patriot, one need not be inimical to those from abroad especially, from the neighbouring country,” the court said.

“A true patriot is a person who is selfless, who is devoted to the cause of his country, which he cannot be unless he is a person who is good at heart. A person who is good at heart would welcome in his country any activity which promotes peace, harmony, and tranquillity within the country and across the border,” it said.