Talha Anjum Breaks Silence Over Onstage Indian Flag Controversy

Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum has finally addressed the backlash he faced after waving an Indian flag during a recent performance in Nepal.

The 30-year-old artist, known for his candid and outspoken nature, performed in front of a large audience in the South Asian country. During his act, he took an Indian flag from a fan and draped it over his back. A video of the gesture quickly went viral on social media, sparking mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.

Many social media users reminded him of his earlier ban on Indian YouTube and Spotify channels following a brief India-Pakistan conflict in May.

After receiving criticism from fellow countrymen, Talha Anjum broke his silence through a post on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, “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.. will never care about the media, the war mongering governments and their propagandas. Urdu Rap is and will always be borderless..”

Responses to his post were divided. One user commented, “if you would have raised both Pakistani & Indian flag together then it there was weight behind your words. right now you’re just licking indian balls for your music dumbass.”

While some supporters praised his gesture, emphasizing that art transcends borders, another user said, “Raising any country’s flag won’t make you anti-Pakistan.”

A section of fans defended him further, stating, “I support you Talha. A confident nation does not panic over symbolism, it stands firm on values. Pakistani artists leading global conversations is not a threat, it’s influence. Urdu rap is ours, and its reach beyond borders is Pakistan’s soft power, not disloyalty. Shahbash!”

The incident highlights the ongoing debate over artistic expression and nationalism in Pakistan, with many social media users weighing in on whether cultural diplomacy through art can coexist with national sentiments.