Imran Khan re-imagined as Lord Shiva stirs tension in Pakistan

By Shalini Ojha

Apr 13, 2018

06:11 pm

What's the story

A picture of Imran Khan, dressed as Lord Shiva blessing his devotees, has gone viral on social media and created an uproar in Pakistan. The superimposed photo was posted by supporters of Nawaz Sharif's party Pakistan Muslim League- PML(N). Meant to show that Khan is closer to Hindu voters, the picture offended many and was even discussed in the Parliament.

Twitter Post

Hindus take offense, demand strict action against miscreants

If we are equal citizen in pakistan so what is this ? This is not in islam that. We want to take action against this. We are Pakistanis but first we are hindu. I requested to @AsimBajwaISPR @MaryamNSharif @ImranKhanPTI to take action ageist this facebook page pic.twitter.com/eQBEMHe3O1

— Kaidar Nath (@NathKAidar) April 11, 2018

Details

Social media outrage leads to uproar in Parliament, probe ordered

The picture was posted on April 8 on Facebook page called 'We Love Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and PML(N)' Subsequently, social media outrage was followed by an uproar in Parliament. Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, on Thursday, asked the interior minister Talal Chaudhry to crack down those behind this and submit a report. The ruckus was led by Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Do you know?

Before elections, politics gets filthy in Pakistan

The country goes to elections in July and prior to that PML(N), PTI (led by Imran Khan) and PPP (lead by Bhutto family) seem poised to retort to dirty tricks for votes. After this viral photo controversy, chances of the battle getting dirtier is high.