Talha Anjum adorns the Indian flag in concert in Nepal

Talha Anjum has sparked widespread online controversy after raising the Indian flag at a concert in Nepal. After backlash, the rapper didn’t apologize for it.

“My heart has no room for hate,” she took to social media and wrote. “Art has no borders. If I raise an Indian flag and stir up controversy, so be it. I’ll do it again. Never mind the media, warlords and their propaganda. Urdu rap is and always will be borderless.”

The rapper was on tour in Kathmandu, Nepal, and videos of the concert quickly began circulating online this weekend. Fans on both sides of the border were divided over this act.

Some called out Anjum for supporting India despite its public hostility towards Pakistan. “India is doing its best to spread terrorism in Pakistan,” wrote one X user. “They even killed innocent Pakistanis while Talha Anjum is busy raising and wearing an Indian flag. India even banned his YouTube. What else can you expect from an Imran Khan supporter?”

Another pointed out how eager India was to support his music: “Talha Anjum flew the Indian flag at a concert in Nepal despite Spotify and probably his YouTube channel being blocked in India. What a pathetic nation we are, no self respect, no shame, no spine.” One user simply believed that Anjum lacked empathy. “Talha Anjum, can we discuss this after your house and town are bombed by Indians like I did mine?” they wrote.

However, the singer’s fans also applauded his bold act. “What Talha Anjum has done is commendable,” wrote one fan. “Even though he’s done for views, he knows the ramifications that the Pakistani community will hate for it, he still did it.” Another stated that flying a certain flag is no big deal. “No problem mate,” the user wrote. “Do whatever you want. Raising any country’s flag will not make you against Pakistan. We will always support you.”

Despite polarizing opinions from both sides, the rapper gave the internet something to talk about. As one user put it, “Talha Anjum is getting swipes left, right and center and this is why I pay my bills online.”

Last year in December, the rapper’s Indian debut was cancelled. The concert had stops in Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi and its cancellation was attributed to organizational and financial disputes.