Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum has been served a legal notice for draping the Indian flag during his concert in Kathmandu last week.
According to reports, the notice claims that the rapper’s actions “inflicted widespread outrage, mental anguish, and profound injury to the national, patriotic, and religious sentiments of millions of Pakistani citizens both domestically and abroad.”
The notice further stated that Talha’s act “exacerbated existing tensions between Pakistan and India, where diplomatic and military relations remain severely strained due to historical conflicts, border disputes, and ongoing security concerns.”
Authorities have demanded an unconditional public apology from the rapper, warning that failure to comply could lead to filing an FIR and criminal prosecution without further notice.
Talha’s move had earlier sparked intense reactions across Pakistan. Critics highlighted that several of his tracks had been removed from platforms like YouTube and Spotify at the request of Indian authorities, questioning why he chose to show support for a country where he was reportedly “banned.”
Responding to the backlash, the 30-year-old rapper, known for his blunt attitude, stated on X:
“My heart has no place for hate. My art has no borders. If me raising an Indian flag sparks controversy, so be it. I will 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.”
The controversy continues to dominate discussions on social media, highlighting the sensitivity of cross-border symbolism in the region’s entertainme
nt industry.
