Indian Govt Blocks Instagram Accounts of Mahira, Hania, Others
News Desk
Islamabad: In the wake of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, the Indian government has taken significant action by blocking the Instagram profiles of several prominent Pakistani celebrities.
Among those affected are Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Sajal Aly, and Ali Zafar. Indian users attempting to visit these accounts now encounter the message: “Account not available in India. This change is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
This move appears to be part of a broader digital crackdown by New Delhi, reportedly aimed at curbing Pakistan’s cultural influence in India. Alongside the Instagram restrictions, multiple Pakistani YouTube channels that stream dramas and entertainment content have also been blocked in the country.
Other celebrities impacted by this decision include Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas Khan, Iqra Aziz, and Imran Abbas, who have all gained immense popularity in India due to their roles in hit dramas and films. However, some Pakistani stars, such as Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam, Wahaj Ali, and Fahad Mustafa, still retain access to their accounts in India, prompting questions about the criteria behind these selective bans.
This censorship has come as a surprise to many fans in India, particularly those who have followed Pakistani celebrities for their contributions to cross-border collaborations, fashion, and humanitarian causes.
In an unexpected twist, a viral video surfaced showing a group of Indian youth mocking the Indus Waters Treaty suspension by sending water bottles to Hania Aamir, highlighting the growing politicization of cultural exchanges. Although the video might be intended as humor, it underscores the escalating hostility and trivialization of political tensions among the public.
Meanwhile, Bollywood celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt have publicly condemned the Pahalgam attack. However, the blocking of Pakistani artists’ social media accounts seems to be a harsh blow to cultural diplomacy between the two nations.
