In a twist fit for prime-time television, Indian authorities have arrested six of their own citizens — including popular YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra — on charges of spying for Pakistan. But instead of panic, the move has sparked laughter across the border, with Pakistani netizens turning the incident into a full-blown meme fest.
The arrests come amid growing India-Pakistan tensions, marked by military bravado and fiery rhetoric. According to Indian media, the detainees were allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence — though no solid evidence has been released.
Among those arrested, Malhotra has become the unexpected poster child of the controversy, after images of her in custody went viral. While Indian authorities insist on national security concerns, critics both at home and abroad are calling the move exaggerated — and perhaps politically driven.
Pakistani users wasted no time jumping in.
“At least they’ve stopped arresting our pigeons,”
quipped one user on X, mocking India’s history of detaining birds for alleged espionage. Others compared the drama to a low-budget crime series, while one post joked,
“At this rate, half of India will be jailed just for saying ‘Pakistan’.”
Analysts suggest the arrests might be aimed at stoking nationalist sentiment ahead of upcoming political challenges. But critics warn that such heavy-handed tactics, especially in the absence of transparency, risk eroding civil liberties and fueling public skepticism.
Whether it’s a real spy story or just another over-the-top episode in the region’s ongoing rivalry, one thing’s for sure — the memes are writing themselves.