Rajab Bhatt Controversy: Apologies, Blasphemy, and Backlash in Pakistan

His perfume publicity sparked further ire, prompting a leader of the religiopolitical Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party to file a first information report (FIR) at Lahore’s Nishtar Colony Police Station on Monday under PPC Section 295-A (insulting religious beliefs) and Section 11 (hate speech) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) of 2016.

The FIR, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, said Butt spread “anti-religious content” in his videos.

The complainant, TLP leader Haider Ali Shah Gillani, said he was watching videos on his cell phone on Sunday when he came across one by Butt.

“Religion is a sensitive issue and one should take special care when speaking about it. People do not use logic in religion and everything is connected to sentiments,” he said, adding that people should be careful while speaking and writing on social media as it could hurt public sentiments.

In other legal troubles, Butt pleaded guilty in January to owning an after accepting a lion cub as a wedding gift.

The Viral Apology Tour

Rajab Bhatt, one of Pakistan’s most controversial influencers, has been on a public apology spree—begging for forgiveness from Christians, Muslims, and even the government. But why?

• He apologized to the Christian community after mocking them.
  
• He held the Quran and begged Muslims for forgiveness.
  
• He folded his hands and pleaded with the government to stop cases against him.
  

What did Rajab Bhatt do to deserve this? Let’s break it down.

The Christian Joke That Backfired

What Happened?

• Rajab’s friend, Mann Dogar, cracked a joke using the word “Esaai” (a derogatory term for Christians in Pakistan).
  
• The joke went viral, and outrage followed—Christians protested, calling it an insult.
  

Why Was This a Big Deal?

In Pakistan:

• You cannot call Christians “Esaai”—it’s considered offensive.
  
• The correct terms are “Masihi” or “Christian.”
  
• Result: An FIR was filed under Section 295-A (insulting religious feelings).
  

Rajab and Mann apologized in a church, but the damage was done.

The “295” Perfume Scandal

What Did Rajab Do?

Rajab launched a perfume named “295”—referring to the blasphemy law section under which his cases were filed.

Why Was This Dangerous?

• 295-C is Pakistan’s strictest blasphemy law (punishable by death).
  
• By naming his perfume “295,” Rajab mocked the law—implying he was proud of his cases.
  
• Public Reaction: Muslims were furious, accusing him of

The Desperate Quran Apology

Realizing the danger, Rajab:

• Held the Quran on camera.
  
• Claimed he never intended to insult Islam.
  
• Said, “Anyone who disrespects Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) deserves death.”

But was this enough?

Why Is Rajab Bhatt Really in Trouble?

1. His Lavish Wedding Made Him a Target

• Rajab’s over-the-top wedding (spending crores) put him on the radar of powerful people who now extort him.
  
• Every small mistake he makes leads to new FIRs—because they know he’ll pay to settle them.

2. His Arrogance Backfired

• He bragged about his legal cases like badges of honor.
  
• He mimicked prayers in TikTok videos, angering conservatives.
  
• His “I can do anything” attitude made him a walking target.

3. The Real Reason Behind the FIRs?

Many believe:

• Powerful groups are using the law to harass him for money.
  
• His fame and wealth make him an easy extortion target.

The Bigger Problem: Pakistan’s Hypocrisy

1. Selective Outrage

• Common Pakistanis crack similar jokes daily—but only famous people face consequences.
  
• If an ordinary person had made the same joke, no FIR would have been filed.

2. Blasphemy Laws Are Weaponized

• 295-A & 295-C are often used to settle personal scores.
  
• Innocent people get trapped—while real offenders escape.

3. The “Influencer Double Standard”

• Rajab’s content (family vlogging, jokes) was fine until he became too big.
  
• Now, every move he makes is scrutinized.

What’s Next for Rajab Bhatt?

1. More Legal Trouble

• His “295 perfume” stunt may lead to more cases.
  
• Authorities won’t let him off easy—he’s a cash cow.

2. Public Sympathy vs. Backlash

• Some feel he’s being unfairly targeted.
  
• Others say he brought this on himself.

3. Will He Learn?

• If Rajab stops provoking, he might survive.
  
• But if he keeps testing limits, he could face jail or worse.

Final Verdict: A Warning for All Influencers

Rajab Bhatt’s story is a cautionary tale:
✅ Fame ≠ Invincibility – The higher you rise, the harder you fall.
✅ Respect Religious Sentiments – In Pakistan, one wrong word can destroy you.
✅ Powerful People Are Watching – If you flaunt wealth, you become a target.

Do you think Rajab Bhatt is being unfairly treated? Or did he deserve this?
Let’s discuss in the comments!

The Rajab Bhatt Saga: A Symptom of Pakistan’s Broken Celebrity Culture

1. The Hypocrisy of Selective Enforcement

What makes Rajab’s case particularly disturbing isn’t just his actions—it’s Pakistan’s two-tiered justice system:

• Everyday Pakistanis tell similar jokes in private WhatsApp groups with no consequences
  
• Comedy shows have used far more offensive humor for decades without FIRs
  
• Yet when a wealthy influencer does it, the full force of the law comes crashing down

This isn’t about protecting religious sentiments—it’s about who you can target for money and political points.

2. The Blasphemy Law Industrial Complex

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have become:

• A weapon for extortion (settle or face mob violence)
  
• A tool for censorship (silence critics under threat of death)
  
• A political distraction (shift focus from real issues like inflation)

Rajab’s case follows the same pattern we saw with:

• Junaid Jamshed (forced to abandon music)
  
• Veena Malik (driven into exile)
  
• Numerous lesser-known victims (over 1,900 blasphemy cases since 1990)

3. The Toxic Celebrity-Outrage Cycle

Modern Pakistani fame operates on:

1. Provocation (create shocking content)
   
2. Outrage (manufactured or genuine)
   
3. Apology (public repentance)
   
4. Repeat (the cycle continues)

Rajab mastered this formula—but this time, the system bit back harder than expected.

The Dangerous Precedent Being Set

1. Encouraging Digital Vigilantism

• Every TikTok comedian now risks mob justice over jokes
  
• Creates artistic paralysis—who will dare make edgy content now?
  
• Example: How many aspiring comedians will self-censor after seeing this?

2. The Death of Nuance

We’ve reduced complex debates to:

• “Offended vs Offender” binary
  
• No room for context or intent
  
• Instant cancellation over any perceived slight

3. The Real Victims Are Silent

While we debate Rajab:

• Unknown prisoners rot in jails on false blasphemy charges
  
• Religious minorities face daily Conclusion: A Nation at Crossroads

  Pakistan stands at a critical juncture where we must ask:

  1. What Kind of Society Do We Want?

  • One that protects faith through fear?
    
  • Or one that builds genuine respect through education?

  2. Who Really Benefits From These Cases?

  • Not Christians (still facing church burnings)
    
  • Not Muslims (distracted from real issues)
    
  • Only power brokers who exploit divisions

  3. The Path Forward

  1. Reform blasphemy laws to prevent misuse
     
  2. Equal application of laws for all citizens
     
  3. Promote media literacy to distinguish between malice and humor
     
  4. Protect

  Rajab Bhatt’s story isn’t just about one influencer—it’s a mirror to our collective failure.
  We’ve created a system where:

  • Provocateurs get rich pushing boundaries
    
  • Extremists get power through outrage
    
  • Ordinary citizens lose freedoms daily

  The question remains:
  Will we learn from this, or keep repeating the cycle until no one’s left to speak freely?