Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum has triggered a major controversy after waving an Indian flag during a concert in Kathmandu, Nepal. The incident took place while he was performing his diss track “Kaun Talha”, which targets Indian rapper Naezy. As he performed, a fan threw an Indian flag on stage. Anjum caught the flag, waved it, and then draped it over his shoulders. The video quickly went viral.
Backlash in Pakistan
The reaction in Pakistan was intense. Many citizens called the act “provocative” and “reckless,” especially given the tense relationship between India and Pakistan after the four-day war in May. The conflict followed the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror bases inside Pakistan.
Following the conflict, India banned Pakistani artists and their music across major platforms such as Spotify, YouTube and Instagram. Even in sports, tensions rose. Both the Indian men’s and women’s teams refused to shake hands with their Pakistani opponents.
Talha Anjum Defends His Action
Despite the criticism, Anjum stood firm. In a social media post, he said:
“My heart has no place for hate. My art has no borders. If raising an Indian flag sparks controversy, so be it. I’ll do it again.”
He added that he does not care about “media, governments, or propaganda,” and believes Urdu rap will always transcend borders.
Why the Feud Started
Anjum is one half of the Karachi hip-hop duo Young Stunners, alongside Talhah Yunus. His conflict with Naezy began in mid-2024. During a podcast, Naezy was asked whether he would collaborate with Pakistani rappers like Anjum. Naezy casually replied, “Kaun Talha?” (Who is Talha?).
Anjum, who is a major figure in Urdu rap, took offence. Soon after, he released “Kaun Talha”, a 4.5-minute diss track highlighting his success, industry influence and dominance in South Asian rap.
Reaction After the Flag Moment
The reaction to the flag-waving incident has been sharp online. One Pakistani user wrote on X:
“Talha Anjum is going to have a lot more than bottles thrown at him now.”
While some accused him of “pandering to Indian fans,” others praised his message of unity across borders. The debate continues to grow as the clip spreads across social media.
