WEB DESK: Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum has ignited widespread debate online after displaying the Indian flag during a live performance in Nepal, drawing intense backlash from Pakistani fans while maintaining his stance that “art transcends borders.”
During his concert on November 16, the 30-year-old rapper encountered a moment that sparked controversy when a fan tossed the Indian tricolor onto the stage. Anjum picked up the flag, draped it across his back, and continued his performance. At one point, he even held the flag aloft before wrapping up his set.
A video of the incident spread rapidly across Instagram and social media platforms in Pakistan, garnering mixed reactions. While Indian fans applauded the act as a gesture of goodwill, many in Pakistan expressed outrage, accusing the rapper of disregarding national pride, especially given the fraught political climate between the two nations.
Critics also reminded Anjum that Indian streaming platforms like YouTube and Spotify had previously restricted access to his music earlier this year due to escalating India-Pakistan tensions. They questioned why the rapper would extend a gesture toward a country that had seemingly sidelined him.
Responding to criticism: ‘Art knows no borders’
Amid the intensifying backlash, Talha Anjum took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the situation head-on. In a defiant post, he stood by his actions, stating, “My heart has no place for hate. My art has no borders. If me raising an Indian flag sparks controversy, so be it. I’ll do it again. I will never care about the media, warmongering governments, and their propaganda. Urdu rap is and will always be borderless.”
To emphasize his message, Anjum included emojis of the Indian, Pakistani, and Nepalese flags in his post — a detail that further fueled discussions across social media platforms.
