KATHMANDU: A night meant to celebrate music and cross-cultural unity in Nepal unexpectedly plunged Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum into a heated national debate after a brief gesture toward an Indian fan ignited widespread criticism back home.
The incident took place during a packed private concert in Kathmandu last weekend, attended by an internationally diverse crowd. As the audience waved their respective national flags, a young Indian attendee extended the Indian flag toward Anjum. In a spontaneous moment of courtesy, the rapper placed the flag on his shoulder for a few seconds — a gesture commonly seen at global concerts to acknowledge fans.
But once a short, context-less video clip circulated online, the narrative shifted dramatically. Within hours, Anjum was accused of insensitivity and disrespect, leading to a wave of social-media backlash and even a legal notice filed against him.
Upon returning to Pakistan, the rapper appeared on a private talk show, where he faced harsh and uncomfortable questioning. The tone of the interview — widely criticised as aggressive — stirred further anger among fans and fellow artists.
Responding calmly, Anjum clarified:
“I did not wave the Indian flag. A fan handed it to me respectfully, and I held it for just a few seconds. If anyone is hurt, I apologise.”
He added that his identity as a Pakistani artist is clearly recognised at international events.
The interview sparked a strong defence from the entertainment industry, with several celebrities condemning the treatment of the rapper and stressing the importance of artistic freedom.
Sonya Hussyn said no artist should be treated “like a criminal,” adding that fan engagement is not an act of disloyalty.
Yasir Hussain noted that having Indian fans at a Pakistani artist’s concert “is something to be proud of.”
Musaddiq Malik criticised the confrontational questioning as unnecessary, while Kinza Hashmi emphasised the need to respect artists representing Pakistan abroad.
Singer Farhan Saeed offered one of the strongest responses:
“Artists are meant to connect people beyond borders and cultures. We promote love, not hate.”
Actor Khaqan Shahnawaz posed a simple question:
“If an Indian artist held the Pakistani flag on stage, would it harm Pakistan’s narrative? Of course not.”
Footage from the concert also showed Talha Younus waving the Nepali flag to honour the host country, reinforcing that the atmosphere was celebratory, not political.
Despite this, the moment involving the Indian flag became a flashpoint, reflecting the deep sensitivities surrounding cross-border symbolism in Pakistan. Social media split into two camps — those claiming foreign flags should never be acknowledged, and those arguing that global performers commonly engage with fans from multiple nations as a sign of respect.
Anjum initially responded with optimism, saying:
“My heart has no place for hate. Art has no borders.”
But as the pressure grew, he ultimately issued an unconditional apology — not for disrespecting Pakistan, but for a brief gesture of courtesy that spiralled into a national controversy.
