Singing sensation Atif Aslam won millions of hearts not only in his home country Pakistan but across the border in India. For over a decade now, he has been working in Bollywood and has given massive hit numbers like Tu Jaane Na, Pehli Nazar Mein and others.

Recently, he was invited to perform at the Pakistan Independence Day Parade at Madison Square Garden, New York. He sang his popular numbers, which included Tera Hone Laga Hoon from Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahaani. This prompted many of his fans back home to question his patriotism and trolled him for singing an Indian song.

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 A Twitter user tweeted calling for boycott of the singer. “Boycott Atif Aslam @itsaadee Ap Ne Dil Tor diya #boycottAtifAslam #AtifAslam.”

boycott Atif Aslam @itsaadee Ap Ne Dil Tor diya #boycottAtifAslam #AtifAslam#مشعل_راہ_گانے pic.twitter.com/dfgXYyGFOW

— Pakistani (@Pakistani09) August 7, 2018

Have heard Atif Aslam refused to hold the Pakistan flag! If true it is shameful indeed! Why wld he do such a senseless act? For commercial purposes? Disgusting! And I really liked his work too. But this act has destroyed it all.

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) August 8, 2018

As per #sources #AtifAslam sung an #indian song on #JashnEAzadi celebrations #concert at #NY #America. There are also #rumors that he #hesitate holding & waving flag of #Pakistan. If so its very #stupid of him & very bad but let him #clear untill not #guilty Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/fFeijjx3QI

— umar ishaque butt (@capisces) August 7, 2018

#AtifAslam No matter what people say, we love you as always indeed. One thing you taught us is love. You are the best of the best. Khuda humaray loogon ko aqal or shaoor dai Ameen. People seem to forget, how much you made #pakistan Proud. You are the #Heart of Pakistan. Thanks

— Zohaib Ahmed (@Zohaib78Ahmed) August 9, 2018

Atif was hurt by the news and he replied with an Instagram post, saying hopefully things would change in the “new Pakistan”. “#nevergiveup… Simply love my haters. Bayshak Allah izat denay aur rakhnay wala hai. Sabz jhanda meri pehchan hai or mere fans jantay hain k mein iska ehtaram kerna achi tarah janta hun.”

Let’s wear this today #nevergiveup Simply love my haters 😘 Bayshak Allah izat denay aur rakhnay wala hai Sabz jhanda meri pehchan hai or mere fans jantay hain k mein iska ehtaram kerna achi tarah janta hun Mje bohat khushi aur fakhar hai k meray fans fake propaganda Ka jawab dena achi tarah Jantay hain .. I hope NAYE PAKISTAN main un sab logon ko izat dena jaan jayen gae jino ne PAKISTAN ka naam poori duniya mein roshan kia hai .. #change Hats off to #aadeez #fans kia baat hai ap sab ki – huge amount of respect for Shafqat Amanat Ali ✌@armeenakhanofficial #atifaslam Pakistan Zindabad

A post shared by Atif Aslam (@atifaslam) on Aug 9, 2018 at 5:20am PDT

I stand in support with @itsaadee for singing his songs at the parade. Music is not Indian or Pakistani. It is just music! Singers r synonymous with their songs which r loved equally by fans from every country. Should have briefed him if they wanted national songs #AtifAslam

— Shafqat Amanat Ali (@ShafqatAmanatA) August 7, 2018

Classical singer Shafqat Amanat Ali defended Atif. He took to his Twitter handle and wrote, “I stand in support of Atif Aslam for singing his songs at the parade. Music is not Indian or Pakistani. It’s just music. Singers are synonymous with their songs which are loved equally by fans from every country. Should have briefed him if they wanted National Songs.”