Television couple Shoaib Ibrahim and his wife, Dipika Kakar, found themselves embroiled in controversy after sharing an Instagram update about their safety during their recent trip to Kashmir. The post came shortly after the Pahalgam terror incident, sparking criticism from some online users who felt the timing of their update was insensitive. Although the couple had already left the region, many felt that the couple’s message about an upcoming vlog was inappropriate in light of the tragic incident.
Shoaib has now spoken out about the backlash, clarifying his intentions and slamming the trolls who targeted both him and his wife. In his latest vlog, he explained, "Story waala joh mudda bana hai, yaa banaya hai. Hum log 22 tareek koi fly kiye, from Srinagar to Delhi, aur jab hum flight main tab I think yeh Pahalgam waala jo haasta hua hai voh uss waqt hua hai jo uss waqt pr hum log ko nhi pta tha, fir jab hum flight se land kiye, jaise hee apna phone on kiya, ek hafte ke baad network aya tha phone mai, wifi wagerah tha wahan pr but aapko pta hai Kashmir main prepaid Sim jo hai voh nahi chlati hai, toh jaise hee on kia toh ek-do messages humare paas aana shuru huye ke aap log theekh ho? pr uss waqt humne itta dhyaan nhi diya kyunki aapko pata hai travel krte waqt bhot saari cheezen aise hoti hai especially bacche ke saath aapko samajh nhi aata hai kaisa kya? [The issue that has been made out of this... We flew on the 22nd, from Srinagar to Delhi, and I think the incident in Pahalgam happened around that time, but we were unaware of it. Then, when we landed from our flight and switched on our phones, after a week, the network finally came on. There was Wi-Fi there, but as you know, prepaid SIM cards don't work in Kashmir. So, as soon as we turned on our phones, we started receiving a couple of messages asking if we were okay. At that time, we didn’t pay much attention because, as you know, when you’re travelling with a child, so many things happen, and you’re not fully aware of what's going on]"
He further stated that the couple was not initially aware of the full extent of the situation. "Toh hum jab hote pahunche humme jo news milli ki Pahalgam main kuch attack hua hai aur wahan pr 1-2 log injured huye hai, injured tak hee humaare paas news aayi thi, toh maine ek story daaldi ki we are fine and new blog coming soon aur bahi uss story ka jo bawaal banaya hai, kai logo ne kuch media portals ne aur kuch especially jo youtube portals hai unne. [So, when we reached our hotel, we received the news that there had been an attack in Pahalgam and that 1-2 people had been injured. That was the extent of the news we had at that time. So, I posted a story saying, 'We are fine, and a new vlog is coming soon.' But the fuss that was created over that story, especially by some media portals and certain YouTube channels, is what really escalated]"
Addressing the criticism, Shoaib voiced his frustration at the hypocrisy he felt from online users. "Agar maan lo main video daal bhi deta, toh sirf main target kyun? Dipika aur main target kyun? Kya main aur Dipika special hain aapke liye? Saare vloggers ne videos daily basis par daale hain, film promotions horahe hain, music video promote horahe hain. Even you guys must be leading your life the same way like before. Aap khana kha rahe hoge, gaane sun rahe honge, kaam par jaa rahe honge. So why am I the only one to get targeted? [If I had posted the video, why am I the only one targeted? Why are Dipika and I being singled out? Are Dipika and I somehow special to you? All vloggers post videos on a daily basis, there are film promotions happening, music videos being promoted. Even you guys are going on with your lives as usual — eating food, listening to music, going to work. So why am I the only one being targeted?]"
Shoaib also expressed his disappointment over the harsh messages he received. "Mujhe kyun maa behan ki gaali, why was Dipika trolled so much?" he questioned, calling out the trolls for subjecting his family to such negativity. He added, "There were so many people who haven't subscribed to our channel or checked my channel but they also came and abused me."
Before their trip to Kashmir, Shoaib, Dipika, and their son, Ruhaan, made a sweet stop in Delhi, where they created cherished memories with their nephew Rehaan. From Ruhaan’s first auto-rickshaw ride to Rehaan’s amazement at India Gate, the family’s time in Delhi had already captured the hearts of their fans. Following their arrival in Kashmir, both Shoaib and Dipika expressed their excitement at visiting the picturesque region for the first time. Their trip, full of snowy adventures and heartwarming moments, has garnered much attention, and fans are eagerly anticipating their shared experiences through Shoaib's vlogs.
Shoaib also expressed his shame over the fact that the individuals responsible for the Pahalgam attack had Muslim names. He emphasized that he doesn't consider them human beings and reiterated his belief that no religion is bad, but it's the actions of people that are the problem.
Shoaib concluded his remarks by reiterating that he had no ill intentions with his post. He explained that he only shared the update to let everyone know they were safe, without anticipating such a massive backlash. The criticism they faced, he believes, highlights the harsh realities of social media and the unfair targeting of certain individuals.
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!
