Indian gamer and Bigg Boss 20 contestant ScoutOP is facing criticism on social media after he used a Saraiki song in a video he posted on his Instagram account.
Users say the choice clashes with his earlier comments about Pakistan, and the video has drawn a wave of reactions online.
The attention comes at a busy time for Scout. Viewers were already talking about his equation with fellow contestant Love Gill. In a recent episode, Scout sat in the garden area near the pool with YUNG DSA and talked about their relationships with other contestants. The two spoke partly in sign language. Scout said that he considers Love like a sister, but he admitted he has started to feel “possessive” when he sees her with Gullu.
He also appeared to acknowledge that living together for a long time inside the house can lead contestants to form intense emotional bonds.
The clip went viral, and viewers debated his words. Many also turned to his girlfriend, Kaashvi Hiranandani, who appeared to watch the episode during a livestream.
Later on Tuesday, Scout posted a video that shows a collage of clips of him and Kaashvi together. The text on the video reads, “Fake narrative can’t break the real bond.” The song in the background is the traditional folk number “Chalray Chalray Waal,” also known as “Tu Sanwal Phul Kasturi.” Pakistani singer Shanzay Sial recently went viral for her rendition of the song.
Users filled the comments with reactions.
One user wrote, “Country se masla hai, ganon se nahin hai [He has a problem with the country, not with its songs].”
Another wrote, “Bhai pakistani song hai background mein [Brother, there is a Pakistani song in the background].”
A third wrote, “Pakistan ka nam ni lena lekin song use krna hai [He won’t take Pakistan’s name, but he wants to use its song].”
Others asked, “Ab kahan gai teri deshbhakti [Where did your patriotism go now],” and accused him of “double standards.”
The backlash stems from remarks Scout made earlier. He spoke about the Pakistani PUBG Mobile team 4Thrives while the squad was dominating the Esports World Cup and other events. He said that he did not care, that he did not like Pakistan, and that he would not support the Pakistani team even when it played well.
He also swore at Pakistan in his livestream.
Kaashvi, who is also known as Kaashi, addressed the speculation about her reaction during her latest livestream. She said that people had been focusing on how she responded to Scout’s behaviour inside the house.
“Firstly, I want to say that I am okay and trying to handle things outside,” she said. “I genuinely wish Scout well.”
She separated her personal relationship with Scout from the way viewers read his actions on the show. “What people are interpreting inside and outside the house are two different things,” she said. “One is my personal relationship with Scout, and the other is knowing Scout as a person.”
Kaashvi said she wants Scout to succeed. “Regardless of what is happening, I want Scout to succeed because he has worked really hard to get where he is today,” she said.
