Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum, star of Karachi Chal, became the center of a social media storm after draping himself in an Indian flag during a live performance in Nepal. The incident quickly went viral, dividing fans and critics and igniting heated online debates.
Flag Controversy During Live Performance
The controversy began when a fan handed Talha an Indian flag mid-performance. In a viral clip, he was seen waving the flag and placing it over his shoulders, which many viewers interpreted as a disrespectful act due to ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India.
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Talha addressed the incident on 365 News morning show Rise and Shine, hosted by Nadia Khan and Zohaib Hassan. He explained that the moment felt very different live.
“I was performing Kaun Talha, my diss track aimed at Indian rapper Naezy, when an Indian fan handed me a flag,” he said. “In the heat of the moment, I took it. It was handed to me in a respectful way. I understood it as a sign of support from the crowd, despite the song’s target.”
Apology After Online Backlash
Host Nadia Khan suggested he could have simply set the flag aside. Anjum admitted he hadn’t realized how long he had held it, saying the excitement of the performance made him unaware of the optics.
The apology comes after several days of online debate. Initially, Talha had doubled down, stating on X (formerly Twitter):
“If me raising an Indian flag sparks controversy, so be it. I’ll do it again… will never care about the media, the war-mongering governments and their propagandas. Urdu rap is and will always be borderless.”
However, on the show, he clarified that his latest apology is unconditional:
“To everyone whose heart has been hurt by any of my actions, I sincerely apologize. My success is all because of Pakistan. Everywhere I go, they call me the finest Pakistani rapper.”
Cross-Border Sensitivities
Ordinarily, waving another country’s flag might symbolize cross-border camaraderie. But in the current Pakistan–India climate, tensions are high. Since the May conflict, cultural exchanges have largely stopped:
- Indian platforms have removed Pakistani music
- Social media accounts of Pakistani celebrities have been blocked in India
- Fans in India often rely on VPNs to stream content
Even cricket, which sometimes softens the border, has been affected, with incidents of Indian players refusing to shake hands with Pakistani counterparts.
