Some members of the Keralite community in Dubai are facing criticism online after warmly greeting former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi at a recent event. The backlash comes after Afridi’s earlier comments following the April 22 incident, which had increased tensions between India and Pakistan.
A video from the event has gone viral, showing people in the audience clapping and chanting “Boom Boom” Afridi’s popular nickname as he appeared on stage. This reaction has upset many social media users, who say the crowd was being disrespectful and ignoring the sensitive political situation between the two countries.
Critics are accusing the attendees of being careless about national feelings, especially at a time when emotions are running high due to recent events. Many feel that celebrating a figure seen as controversial, especially in public, sends the wrong message.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation on social media about how diaspora communities and celebrities should behave during times of political tension. While some believe sports and politics should stay separate, others argue that public actions carry deeper meanings and consequences.
This event has also raised questions about the role of the Indian diaspora abroad. Should they express their patriotism more openly? Or is it acceptable to treat such events purely as entertainment?
The debate continues, but for now, the video and the reaction it sparked have become a hot topic online showing how quickly a public moment can turn into a national discussion.
