BJP faces backlash over use of Pakistani song
BJP called 'anti-national' on social media for using a Pakistani song in a promotional video.
Now people have started calling BJP anti-national on social media. The narrative that BJP leaders, workers, and supporters used to malign the opposition or their adversaries has backfired. In fact, BJP's attempt to present the Mumbai-Pune Missing Link as a remarkable infrastructure achievement backfired when a Pakistani song was used in their 9-second video. This entire issue has sparked a debate on double standards on both sides of India and Pakistan.
BJP used the popular song ‘Safar’ by Lahore's Pakistani alternative rock band Bayaan (Bayaan), released in 2024.
This song has gone viral on Instagram Reels and TikTok. It has been streamed over 3.47 crore times on Spotify and receives approximately 2.94 lakh streams daily. It has become one of the band's fastest-growing and most talked-about songs.
The BJP video received over 12 lakh views on X, but it also faced heavy criticism. The controversy intensified because,
the Indian government had already directed digital streaming services, over-the-top (OTT) platforms, and online intermediaries to remove content from Pakistan, including songs, films, web series, and podcasts. This step was taken in light of national security concerns following the Pahalgam terrorist attack in 2025. Subsequently, major platforms like Spotify India and YouTube Music removed several popular Pakistani songs and even changed their promotional album artwork.
Citing national security, India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting justified this action using information technology rules.
The ministry stated that media content from Pakistan could affect India's sovereignty, integrity, or public order.
Pakistani artists were also digitally removed from film promotions. Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane was removed from the album artwork of ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’ on Spotify and YouTube Music, leaving only her Indian co-star Harshvardhan Rane visible.
Similarly, Mahira Khan was removed from the promotional posters and pictures of ‘Raees’ (2017), leaving Shah Rukh Khan alone.
In such an environment, BJP's use of the same Pakistani song led to sharp reactions on social media. Both Indians and Pakistanis participated in this debate.
Pakistani X user Shaheer Malik wrote,
“After selling an anti-Pakistan narrative to Indians for the last 20 years, using Pakistani songs in social media posts is indeed very audacious.”
Another user eminem_chacha wrote,
“Banning Pakistani artists and music in the name of nationalism, but using a Pakistani song when it suits you. This hypocrisy is louder than the music.”
Pakistani account Yang Goi wrote,
“Okay, this is fine, but why are you using a Pakistani song? Don't you have your own songs? What happened to Arijit and other artists in India?”
Meanwhile, another X user named Mensch took a light-hearted approach, writing,
“Pakistani music is so amazing that even BJP couldn't resist its vibes.”
Indian users also reacted, especially those associated with the Congress party.
Karnataka State Seed and Organic Certification Agency Chairperson Lavanya Ballal Jain tagged BJP and wrote,
“BJP, by your own logic, you are now anti-national. Couldn't you find an Indian song? Did you have to choose a Pakistani song?”
INCAS Kozhikode District President and Congress Digital Media Cell member Vijay Thottathil also criticized the choice of music.
He wrote,
“The relationship between BJP and Pakistan is so touching that they are using a Pakistani song to showcase this infrastructure marvel. Couldn't you find an Indian song?”
The controversy over the song is part of the broader backdrop where cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan have been repeatedly affected due to political tensions between the two countries.
However, cultural contradictions are not one-sided. In April 2026, Pakistan's media regulatory authority Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a show-cause notice to the country's largest media house Geo News for airing content related to Indian singer Asha Bhosle. PEMRA questioned Geo News for using clips of Indian songs and films during the news of Asha Bhosle's demise. The regulatory authority cited the ban on Indian content in Pakistan and the 2018 Supreme Court decision.