Instagram has become a hub for everything; It’s also a window for fans to look into the lives of their favorite celebrities, regardless of borders. However, this palette soon turns sour if they cross, rooted sentiments. Take recent events, it’s clear that the war between Ind-Pak is not only on the front, but also between TV stars, resulting in being banned. Let’s go into more detail below.
Greater Impact of Pahalgam Attack
All this commotion began with the tragic Pahalgam terrorist attack on innocent citizens. This time, India took immediate retaliatory actions and waged a war against them with Russia’s support. While Pakistan is allegedly in contact with China and America. But this action extends to restricting digital media visibility as well.
Many famous Pakistani YouTube channels and Celebrity Instagram accounts that are openly protesting against Indian geopolitical interests have been banned previously.
Banned Prominent Figures
Today, social media has become a place of judgement where anyone can openly express. This phenomenon is quite restricted to celebrities as they raise controversies. However, given the situation, all were openly slamming each other, even Indian and Pakistani celebrities started defending their nations that no terrorism had happened.
This bittersweet relation between nations prompted the Indian government has ban prominent Pakistani figures like Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Atif Aslam, Fawad Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, and many. All their social media handles are inaccessible (not visible) for users in India.
Unreleased Projects
Pakistani TV figures became popular within Indian households with serials and films. It’s pretty common in the Bollywood industry to work together. Even Diljith Dosanjh shared screen with Pakistani beauty Hania Aamir for the Sardaar Ji 3 film. But with political tensions and ongoing media backlash, makers chose to release only overseas.
There is a rumour that Karan Johar pushed Fawad Khan out of Indian industry; However, the actor’s popularity is widespread in India because of acclaimed films like Khoobsurat and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. In fact, his upcoming film “Abir Gulaal” was about to release, and the Indian Film Federation raged against the crew opposing its premiere.
Sanam Teri Kasam 2 in clashes
The prequel, Sanam Teri Kasam story of broken lovers, is a classic that lives rent-free in hearts. When makers released that the sequel is being shot, everyone wished to see the pair again. But, during the war period, Mawra Hocaine, the Pakistani heroine, publicly slammed Pakistan has never doing deeds, and its citizens are suffering because of our country’s selfishness.
Crossing the statements, hero Harshvardhan Rane mentioned, “If this actress is going to star in the project, then I’m out”. Reverting the verbal attack heroine stated that he is senseless, using social media handles and situational sensitivity to personal advantage and promotions. Next, she got banned on Instagram.
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Situation back to Normal
India strictly prohibited Pakistani citizens from staying within the country and advised them to leave within three days. Also, any citizen married across the border will be deported, regardless of special cases. Without any Indian-based address proofs, Muslim residents are termed illegal. This caused issues for innocent citizens; however, mercy only allows them to misuse the situation and plan another attack on Kashmir.
As the war stopped, most of them got unbanned after a two-month break. Now, Indians can see profiles of Mawra Hocaine, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, & Danish Taimoor back on Instagram. But not every account banned is restored. A-class actors like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Atif Aslam are still restricted to users.
Current Updates
On July 1st, out of the banned list, several Pak actors’ accounts like Mawra Hocaine, Yumna Zaidi, and many others were accessible to Indians. But by Thursday Morning, as on July 3rd, the Indian government reimposed the ban again. These accounts are geo-restricted with strict legal orders. As per experts, this temporary visibility happened because of a technical glitch and is now blocked again.
This brief access to Pakistani Instagram accounts caused the All India Cine Workers Association to raise a boycott. They have officially submitted a letter requesting the Indian government to impose a permanent ban on not only the media but intercollaborations as well. In diplomacy, this will increase the existing hatred between nations.
Written By: Meghana Pinninti