In a significant move following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, India has blocked access to the Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) handles of several prominent Pakistani cricketers, including Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam, and Wasim Akram. The action comes amid rising tensions and is part of a broader crackdown on online content deemed anti-India or inflammatory.
Why Were Pakistani Cricketers’ Social Media Accounts Blocked?
The decision to restrict these accounts comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which left 26 people dead and sparked outrage across India. In the aftermath, several Pakistani sports personalities made remarks critical of the Indian Army and government, which were widely circulated on social media platforms.
Shahid Afridi, in particular, made disparaging comments against the Indian Army during a televised interview, accusing Indian authorities of shifting blame to Pakistan and questioning their ability to protect citizens.
The Indian government cited national security and public order as the primary reasons for the ban, stating that the content violated local laws and could incite further unrest.
Who Has Been Affected?
The crackdown has impacted a range of high-profile Pakistani sports figures:
Shahid Afridi: His YouTube channel was blocked in India after his anti-Indian Army remarks, though his Instagram account remained active at the time of reporting.
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi: Their Instagram accounts were blocked in India, with users seeing a message stating, “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content”.
Shoaib Akhtar, Basit Ali, Kamran Akmal: Their YouTube channels have also been restricted for Indian viewers.
Arshad Nadeem: The Olympic gold medalist’s Instagram handle was similarly blocked in India.
The Official Reason for the Ban
According to Instagram’s notification to users, the restriction was implemented after a legal request from Indian authorities. The message reads:
“We received a legal request to restrict this content. We reviewed it against our policies and conducted a legal and human rights assessment. After the review, we restricted access to the content in the location where it goes against local law”.
This aligns with India’s recent measures targeting digital content from across the border, especially after incidents that threaten national security or public harmony.
Government’s Wider Response After the Pahalgam Attack
The social media crackdown is just one part of India’s broader response to the Pahalgam attack. Other actions include:
- Cancellation of SVES visas for Pakistani nationals.
- Suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, which Pakistan has called an act of war.
- Blocking of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading provocative or misleading content.
- Impact on Sports and Social Media
The move has sparked debate among cricket fans and social media users in both countries. While some support the government’s decision as necessary for national security, others argue it restricts free speech and cross-border sports diplomacy.
Key Points:
- Pakistani cricketers had a significant following in India, with their YouTube channels and Instagram accounts attracting millions of views and engagement.
- The ban affects not just the athletes but also their Indian fans, who now have limited access to their content and updates.
What’s Next for Pakistan Cricket?
Despite these digital restrictions, the Pakistan cricket team is preparing for upcoming series against Bangladesh and the West Indies. The team will be looking to focus on their on-field performance as diplomatic tensions continue to simmer.
FAQs
Q1: Why did India block Shahid Afridi’s social media accounts?
India blocked Afridi’s YouTube channel and restricted his content after he made anti-Indian Army remarks following the Pahalgam terror attack, citing national security and public order concerns.
Q2: Which Pakistani cricketers had their Instagram accounts blocked in India?
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are among the prominent cricketers whose Instagram accounts have been blocked for Indian users.
Q3: Are these bans permanent?
The duration of the bans has not been specified. Such restrictions typically remain until authorities determine the content no longer poses a threat to national security or public order.
Q4: Did Wasim Akram’s accounts get blocked too?
Reports mention Wasim Akram among those affected, but the primary focus has been on Afridi, Babar, and other current players. Some former players’ accounts, like Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq, remain unaffected as of now.
Q5: How can Indian fans follow Pakistani cricketers now?
Currently, Indian fans cannot access the restricted social media handles. They may follow international cricket news or official cricket board updates for information on these players.
Conclusion
India’s decision to block the Instagram and X handles of leading Pakistani cricketers like Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam, and Wasim Akram marks a new chapter in the ongoing digital and diplomatic standoff between the two countries. Triggered by the devastating Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent anti-Indian Army remarks, these actions reflect the heightened sensitivity around national security and the power of social media in shaping public discourse. As both nations look ahead to crucial cricket series, the impact of these bans will be closely watched by fans and commentators on both sides of the border.