New Delhi: As soon as the dust settles on the Indo-Pak conflict, cultural flashpoints tied to Pakistan may resurface across the country. One recurring issue is the slogan of “Pakistan Zindabad.” It’s no coincidence that this chant surfacing on social media or at political events, frequently used to provoke or target the BJP. Once dismissed by many as harmless and benign, especially before the Pahalgam attack, the slogan will no longer be ignored.

In May last year, after Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka, his supporters entered Vidhana Soudha—the state secretariat—and chanted “Pakistan Zindabad.” As expected, a political storm followed. The BJP accused the Congress of harbouring anti-nationals, demanded their arrest insisting that those who shouted the slogan, had crossed a red line. The Congress dismissed the incident as BJP’s fabrication, a stance echoed by several online magazines and fact-checkers who criticised the BJP for politicising it. Some Congress leaders had even downplayed the slogan, calling it harmless and unintentional. Despite the state-owned forensic lab confirming that the slogan was indeed shouted when Hussain exited the counting hall, the Congress appeared to have buried the issue.

Now after the Pahalgam attack, tensions between India and Pakistan reignited. What earlier seemed like empty slogans for some liberals, ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ may now be seen in a more serious light—especially in the echo chamber of social media. In Karnataka alone, two individuals........

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