The Pahalagam terror attack led to a huge divide between India and Pakistan. From movies like Abeer Gulaal and Sardaar Ji 3 getting banned from release in the country, for featuring Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan and Hania Aamir. As artists from the neighbouring country condemned Operation Sindoor, their social media handles were blocked in India. For those who don’t know, the accounts that were blocked included names like Mawra Hocane, Fawad, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, Ayeza Khan, Sanam Saeed, Maya Ali, Iqra Aziz Hussain, and Hania.
Well, a few days ago, some of the Instagram handles were not only restored but are also again viewable in India. Apart from the Sanam Teri Kasam actress, the artists whose accounts were unblocked are Yumna Zaidi, Ahad Raza Mir, and Danish Taimoor. However, other profiles are still blocked. The profiles had become invisible to Indian netizens after the tensions that were triggered by Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack.
SEE ALSO: Diljit, Hania Starrer Sardaar Ji 3 Becomes Highest-Grossing Indian Film In Pakistan, Amid Heavy Backlash: Reports
It will be interesting to see whether the social media handles of other artists will be restored in India anytime soon. As of now, the profiles of the inaccessible Pakistani artists show the message, “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content,” to Indian users.
It is to be noted that the Government of India had issued an advisory to OTT platforms, media streaming services, and others to discontinue Pakistan-origin content, including films, web series, songs, and podcasts, with immediate effect after the Pahalgam terror attack. All streaming platforms were advised to the advisory references the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, highlighting that publishers must avoid content that affects India’s sovereignty and integrity.
SEE ALSO: Mahira, Fawad, Mawra Removed From Posters Of Their Bollywood Films On Music Apps; Netizens Call It ‘Epic’
