After tensions between India and Pakistan continue to bubble, the Indian government made a swift move to ban Pakistani entertainment channels like Hum tv, Geo and ARY digital on Youtube.
Indian media also reported that the Instagram accounts of several popular Pakistani actors like Hania Aamir, Yumna Zaidi and Fawad Khan were restricted in the country.
The digital throttling of Pakistani voices across India follows the recent Pahalgam attacks in Jammu-Kashmir,which had killed over 26 civilians. Indian authorities had claimed that the terrorists found were from Pakistan, even though the Pakistani government has denied responsibility. Recently, the Indian government had banned 16 Pakistani youtube channels including podcasts like The Pakistan Experience, or journalists like Asma Shirazi or Muneeb Farooq. According to NDTV, government sources claimed such youtube channels were pushing ‘false narratives” and “inicting communal tensions”.
The swift ban over Pakistani dramas has left Indian social media users in agony, several of whom began debating on the best VPN’s to use so they might still be able to keep up with their favourite Pakistani dramas.
“Tell me about a good VPN so I could still watch my favourite Pakistani dramas,” tweeted a user.
Needless to say, the reaction of Indian audiences was quite severe.
Many are debating how to watch their favourite Pakistani dramas on Youtube.
Some users have criticised the Modi government’s swift decision, by questioning whether it was right to drag artists and singers into the feud between the two countries.
“Modi sarkar banned HUM TV too? Dramas are now a threat to national security? This is not governance, it’s paranoia,” tweeted a user.
“Allowing people to unite via art could be such a dangerous idea, no?” questioned another user.
Several fans are in agony over not being able to access the accounts of their favourite Pakistani actors like Hania.
Some have even resorted to sending their last farewell messages to Pakistani actors like this fan did to Yumna
Some fans are requesting for new ways to keep up with their favourite on-going dramas like Parwarish, which stars Aina Asif and Sami Jafri.
“Koi help kar do. Mujhe ep 8 dekhna tha lekin channels ban ho gayi hain par coke studio chal raha hain. Yeh kya ho raha hain yaar,” tweeted a user.
