India Reimposes Instagram Ban On Pakistani Celebs After Public Outcry
Instagram accounts of Pakistani actors have once again been geo-blocked in India, just a day and not even days after they briefly resurfaced!
Instagram accounts of several Pakistani actors have once again been geo-blocked in India, just a day and not even days after they briefly resurfaced on the app. Celebrities like Mawra Hocane, Yumna Zaidi, Danish Taimoor, and Ahad Raza Mir saw their accounts become temporarily visible to Indian users earlier this week. However, by Thursday morning, those same accounts were inaccessible once again.
Pakistani Actors Instagram Account Banned Again In India
Users attempting to visit the profiles were met with a message that read: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.” The restrictions were originally implemented in May, in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam and the Indian armed forces’ subsequent Operation Sindoor. At the time, the Indian government moved to block access to the social media handles of various Pakistani public figures, including actors, diplomats, and athletes, across digital platforms as part of a broader national security measure.
The brief reappearance of the accounts on July 1 raised questions about whether the ban was being reconsidered or relaxed. However, according to a report by News18, the visibility was unintentional. Sources close to the matter said the accounts resurfaced due to a technical oversight or delay in enforcement by the platform. Following an emergency internal review, officials reportedly instructed platforms to reinstate the digital block immediately.
The incident also reignited criticism from the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), which has consistently advocated for a complete digital and cultural boycott of Pakistan. In a renewed letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the group condemned the temporary visibility of the accounts, calling it a “disrespect to the sacrifices of Indian soldiers” and urging that no content from Pakistani artists be allowed in Indian media spaces.
Also Read: Indian Film Body Writes To PM Modi To Ban Pakistani Accounts After They Reappear On Instagram
Furthermore, according to reports, the officials indicate that any remaining accessible accounts are being addressed, and full compliance with the ban is expected in the coming days.
First Published: July 03, 2025 1:21 PM
