Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum, popularly known for the song 'Wishes' with Indian artist Talwiinder, is facing backlash after he waved the Indian Tricolour flag during one of his concerts in Nepal.
A video that has now gone viral on social media shows a fan handing him the flag from the crowd, which he then waves proudly above his head before wrapping it around his shoulders while continuing his performance on stage.
The moment set off a wave of divided reactions online. Many praised him for showing a gesture of unity across borders, calling it a refreshing and rare moment of South Asian solidarity. However, a large section of netizens, particularly from Pakistan, condemned the act, accusing him of disrespecting national sentiment and “crossing a line.”
Following the backlash, Talha Anjum took to X to address the criticism head-on. He defended his actions and made it clear that his intentions were rooted in humanity rather than political messaging.
His statement read, "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, the war-mongering governments and their propagandas. Urdu rap is and will always be borderless."
With more than 3 million followers on Instagram, Anjum enjoys a massive online presence. The discussion about cross-border art and censorship is further complicated by the fact that, like many Pakistani artists, his profile is inaccessible from India because of platform limitations.
As people from both countries voiced their opinions on issues of nationalism, artistic freedom, and the cultural gap between the two, his post only served to heat up the discussion.
Also read: Odia singer Humane Sagar passes away at 34 due to multi-organ dysfunction syndrome
Talha Anjum has long been a well-known voice in South Asian hip-hop. In 2012, she and Talhah Yunus co-founded the Urdu rap duo Young Stunners. After becoming well-known with Burger-e-Karachi, the pair went on to play significant roles in the local rap scene.
This incident has now placed him at the centre of an intense — and ongoing — conversation about art, identity, and the borders that artists choose to challenge.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
