WEBDESK: In a move sparking widespread criticism, India blocks Arshad Nadeem’s Instagram account just weeks after his historic gold medal win at the Paris Olympics. The decision has shocked fans and analysts alike, who see this as an attempt to silence Pakistani voices amid growing political tensions.
According to multiple media reports, the action was taken on the recommendation of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. While no official explanation has been provided, the timing suggests that India blocks Arshad Nadeem in response to recent cross-border tensions and the athlete’s refusal to participate in an Indian sporting event.
Earlier, Indian authorities had also banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including those of former cricketers Shoaib Akhtar, Rashid Latif, and Basit Ali. The list now includes Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem’s Instagram, marking a clear shift from sportsmanship to censorship.
Moreover, Instagram accounts of several Pakistani stars including Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Iqra Aziz, and many others have been banned in India.
The official Twitter account of the Government of Pakistan is already banned in India.
The decision comes days after the Pahalgam incident, where Indian forces faced a significant security lapse. Analysts believe that India blocks Arshad Nadeem as part of a broader campaign to shift attention from internal failures by targeting prominent Pakistani personalities.
The controversy deepened when it was revealed that just a day before the attack in Pahalgam, Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra had invited Arshad Nadeem to compete in an event in India. Arshad respectfully declined, citing security concerns. Soon after, his Instagram account was no longer accessible to Indian users.
