In a shocking development that has created controversy throughout the cricketing world, India has allegedly suspended the Instagram handles of leading Pakistani cricketers — including national team skipper Mohammad Rizwan and star batsman Babar Azam.
The move comes at a time of increased tensions between the two nations following the recent Pahalgam incident in Indian-held Kashmir.
According to media reports, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs recommended the ban on a total of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, citing national security concerns. Among those affected are channels run by former Pakistani cricket legends like Shahid Afridi, Rashid Latif, Shoaib Akhtar, and Basit Ali.
Read more: India blocks Shahid Afridi’s YouTube channel over Pahalgam attack remarks
The action is being viewed widely as a response to robust and vociferous reaction from these cricketers toward India’s military and political agenda. Shahid Afridi has been particularly critical of India’s actions in the region. His outspokenness and frank comments have seemingly provoked the Indian government into blocking his YouTube channel throughout the country.
Cricket fans were also shocked to find that the social media accounts of Rizwan and Babar Azam had either been restricted or taken offline in India. Both players are known for steering clear of politics and focusing on their game, which has led many to question the motivation behind the bans.
Read also: Pakistani Celebrities Blocked on Instagram in India Amid Pahalgam Attack Fallout
This isn’t the first time India has clamped down on Pakistani content online. Earlier, the Indian government had blocked several Pakistani news and opinion channels on YouTube, especially those critical of its policies in Kashmir or those highlighting narratives from across the border.
Indian officials justified the action, saying that the prohibited channels were propagating content “detrimental to national security.” Critics, however, say this is an obvious effort to silence voices that do not conform to the official Indian narrative, particularly when those voices are those of internationally known sports personalities.
Meanwhile, fans from both countries are voicing their opinions on social media, with many expressing disappointment over the politicization of cricket and sports personalities.
