Flag incident reignites debate on nationalism and artistic freedom

A fresh controversy has engulfed Pakistan’s entertainment scene after veteran TV host Nadia Khan publicly confronted rapper Talha Anjum over his decision to wave the Indian flag during a concert in Nepal. The fiery exchange has divided the public, prompting several celebrities to come forward in his defense.

Nadia Khan’s Strong Rebuke

During her morning show, Nadia Khan questioned Talha Anjum sharply, calling the gesture “hurtful to national sentiment.” She accused the rapper of disregarding Pakistan’s history and sensitivities.

She reminded him of past conflicts, asking:

“Have you forgotten the conflict when they imposed a war on us and were killing our soldiers? Why did you raise their flag? We are Pakistani before artists and musicians.”

Nadia also highlighted a past tweet by Anjum during the Pahalgam incident, accusing him of sympathizing with India.

Talha Anjum Responds: ‘I Am a Proud Pakistani Artist’

Talha Anjum admitted his mistake and apologized but clarified that his actions were not political.
He said:

• He waved flags to engage the audience
• He remains deeply patriotic
• Indian artists “could never do” something similar without facing severe backlash

His statement added fuel to the debate as supporters and critics took to social media.

Celebrities Step In: Yasir Hussain, Sonya Hussyn, Musadek Malek and Others Back Talha

A wave of support for Anjum swept across the entertainment industry.

Yasir Hussain

Yasir Hussain defended the rapper, writing:

“To all the Pakistani Arnab Goswamis… this boy is a good Pakistani. He has represented us internationally—that’s why Indians also attend his concerts.”

Musadek Malek

Musadek Malek went a step further, harshly criticizing Nadia Khan, calling her a “pissu” and questioning her professionalism.

Sonya Hussyn

Sonya Hussyn expressed concern over the way artists are treated on national TV:

“No artist deserves to be spoken to like this.”

Kinza Hashmi

Kinza Hashmi also shared support, calling for respect and understanding for performers representing Pakistan abroad.

Nation Split as Debate Intensifies

Social media users remain sharply divided:

• Support for Nadia: Some viewers praised her for taking a patriotic stance and holding public figures accountable.
• Support for Talha: Others argued that artists often interact with diverse global audiences and symbolic gestures should not always be politicized.

The debate intensified when users compared the backlash faced by Pakistani artists to the freedom with which some Indian celebrities express anti-Pakistan views without repercussions.

The Original Flag Moment: A Gesture of Music and Unity

Videos from the Nepal concert showed Talha Anjum waving the Indian flag, with partner Talha Younus waving the Nepali flag beside him.

The crowd cheered, interpreting it as a gesture of friendship, unity, and musical goodwill.

Many fans insisted:

• The intent was artistic and emotional, not political
• Music often transcends borders
• Performers aim to connect with all fans present

The moment had originally gone viral for promoting peace, not controversy.