In another move that has drawn criticism from both sides of the border, several Pakistani celebrities, including actress and TV host Ushna Shah, have had their Instagram accounts blocked in India. This digital blockade comes as part of a growing trend by the Modi government to restrict Pakistani content and artists from reaching Indian audiences on various social media platforms.
Ushna Shah’s Witty Response Goes Viral
While the move may have been intended as a political gesture, Ushna Shah responded with sarcasm and humor that quickly went viral. Taking to social media, the popular actress wrote:
My world has been destroyed now, Modi ji, what have you done?
She accompanied her post with broken heart and crying emojis, making her message a clever and cutting piece of satire. Ushna’s fans and followers praised her for maintaining her composure and responding to the ban with wit instead of outrage.
Her response was widely shared across Pakistani platforms, with many social media users applauding her sense of humor and resilience. One user commented, I wish Modi could understand the sarcasm in her message while another wrote, The people enforcing these bans are so immature. If they had any wisdom, they wouldn’t resort to such childish measures.
A Pattern of Digital Censorship by India
This is not an isolated incident. The Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously targeted a range of Pakistani public figures by restricting or suspending their digital presence in India. The latest crackdown includes popular celebrities such as Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar, whose Instagram accounts are now also inaccessible within India.
This policy of digital censorship has also extended beyond the entertainment industry. Earlier, the Modi administration reportedly blocked social media accounts of several renowned Pakistani cricketers, further escalating tensions in the realm of cross-border culture and communication.
The Cultural Fallout: Artists Caught in the Crossfire
These actions have sparked heated debates around freedom of expression, cross-cultural exchange, and the unnecessary politicization of art. Critics argue that art and sports should remain above political agendas, and punishing artists by cutting off their access to Indian audiences only deepens the divide between the two nations.
Social media, once seen as a bridge between the youth of India and Pakistan, is now becoming a casualty of geopolitical rifts. Thousands of Indian fans who follow Pakistani actors, musicians, and athletes are now deprived of direct access to their favorite personalities due to these bans.
Pakistani Celebrities Continue to Shine Globally
Despite these setbacks, Pakistani celebrities continue to grow their global presence. Ushna Shah, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, and others enjoy massive followings not just in South Asia, but also in the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Their work is celebrated internationally through dramas, films, music, and online content, proving that talent transcends borders, even when governments attempt to erect them.
Moreover, this incident has only boosted Ushna Shah’s popularity, with hashtags like UshnaShah, ModiBanFail, and Pakistani Celebrities trending on Twitter and Instagram in Pakistan.
The Bigger Picture: A Call for Unity, Not Division
Many voices from both India and Pakistan have called for an end to such counterproductive actions. They argue that instead of banning content and artists, both governments should promote dialogue, cultural exchange, and mutual respect.
Blocking Instagram accounts or other social media handles might serve as symbolic gestures, but they ultimately fail to silence artists who have platforms across the globe. In fact, such moves often backfire by garnering sympathy for those targeted, as in Ushna Shah’s case.
