Pakistani Olympic javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem’s Instagram account has been restricted in India after a legal request was made by the Indian government. Instagram said that this action was taken to follow local laws and company policies.
This step is part of a larger pattern, as several Pakistani news pages and journalist profiles have also been blocked or limited in India recently. Many believe these restrictions are linked to the ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Arshad Nadeem is a well-known athlete who has represented Pakistan internationally. His restriction on Instagram in India has sparked concern among his fans and sports lovers, who believe that athletes should not be dragged into political issues.
In a separate incident, Indian Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra invited Arshad Nadeem to take part in an upcoming sports event.
However, Arshad politely declined the invitation, citing a scheduling conflict and prior commitments. Even though it was a professional decision, some people online criticized Neeraj Chopra for extending the invite.
Despite this, both athletes have previously shown respect and sportsmanship toward each other. Their famous moment of appreciation during the Olympics was praised worldwide and seen as a symbol of peace and unity through sports.
The current restrictions and online reactions highlight how sensitive cross-border relations have become, even in areas like sports and social media. Many people hope that athletes like Arshad and Neeraj can continue to be examples of mutual respect, despite political tensions.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how long these restrictions will last and whether they will impact other figures in the region.