FWICE calls for ban on Navjot Singh Sidhu

(Surjit Dhal Mumbai, Feb 17): The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has called for ban on cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu over his controversial comments in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.

 Sidhu, who appears on “The Kapil Sharma Show”, had condemned the incident but courted a controversy when he asked whether an entire nation can be blamed for a handful of people.

 He was among the invitees for the swearing-in ceremony of Imran Khan as Pakistan prime minister last year.

 The Punjab cabinet minister’s comments sparked an uproar on social media, with many people asking for his removal from “The Kapil Sharma Show”.

 In a statement sent to Sony Entertainment Television on Saturday, FWICE said Sidhu should apologise for his comments that have “not only disturbed the sentiments of the nation, but also have been taken as of an anti-Indian nature”.

“In social and national interest, on behalf of five lakh workers of the FWICE, we request you to kindly ban him from ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’ until he submits his unconditional apology to the nation and martyrs, who sacrificed their lives while on duty for the nation,” the statement said.

 There have been reports of Sidhu being sacked by the channel from “The Kapil Sharma Show”, but there is no official confirmation.