Indian Flag Incident (Kathmandu, Nepal)

During a live concert in Kathmandu, a fan handed Talha Anjum an Indian flag. He instinctively caught it, waved it, and draped it over his shoulders.This moment quickly spread across social media and became highly controversial.

Public Reaction

• The act triggered strong backlash in Pakistan, where many viewed it as disrespectful due to the historically tense political relations between India and Pakistan.
• Some defended him, calling it a gesture of peace and borderless art, while others called it insensitive or provocative.

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⚖️ 2. Legal Notice Over “Hurt Patriotic Sentiments”

Following the viral video, a Pakistani citizen issued Talha a legal notice, accusing him of:

• Hurting national sentiments, and
• Showing disrespect to Pakistan by waving an Indian flag.

The notice demanded:

• A public apology, and
• Warned that failure to comply could result in an FIR (criminal case) being filed.

This highlighted how strongly national symbolism affects public perception of artists in South Asia.

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🙏 3. Talha Anjum’s Apology

Amid growing pressure, Talha issued a public statement clarifying the situation:

• He said he never intended to “wave the flag aggressively.”
• The flag was handed to him suddenly, and he placed it on his shoulders without thinking about political implications.
• He apologized to anyone who felt hurt and said he respected his country and its people.

This showed the tension between his original stance — “art has no borders” — and the social/political pressure he faced afterward.

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🎤 4. Disappointment with His Own Fans (Separate Issue)

In a different incident, Talha expressed frustration with some of his Pakistani fans:

• He said he was “disappointed” after someone threw a glass bottle at him during a performance.
• He highlighted the unruly behavior at some concerts and how it puts artists at risk.

This incident added another layer to his public image — not related to politics, but to concert safety and fan behavior.

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🧠 Overall Analysis

This controversy shows how:

• A spontaneous gesture at a concert can turn into a national debate.
• Public figures in Pakistan must navigate political sensitivities, especially regarding India.
• Digital platforms amplify backlash, forcing artists to respond quickly.
• Talha’s growing fame also brings tougher scrutiny — from patriotic groups, media, and even his own fans.

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