PESHAWAR: A false death news post regarding popular Pashto folk singer Zarsanga Bibi became viral on social media some two days ago, leaving her family and fans in lurch.

According to senior artists, since long, under a planned conspiracy, noted Pashto folk singers had been targeted on social media by spreading false death news posts about them.

Till now several senior Pashto artists including US-based Sardar Ali Takkar, Khial Mohammad, Wagma Bibi, Saima Naz, Gulpanra, Czech-based artist Haroon Bacha and Rome-based Afghan singer Nashanas and recently Zarsanga Bibi have come under attack by false death news mongers on social media.

Fans say defamation suit can be filed against rumour-mongers

Faiz Ali Faiz, a young advocate, poet and member of Pohantoon Adabi Stori, told this scribe that it was indeed a serious crime against which a defamation suit could be filed and a huge amount for damages could be claimed from the culprit.

“Artists are not common citizens but celebrities. I am going to form a legal forum in the coming days which will create awareness and will also fight for the affected people in the courts of law,” he added.

Responding to rumors about her death, Zarsanga told this scribe that she was alright but false death news post on social media hurt her, her family and her fans at large.

“I am not using social media, but my diehard fans kept me busy by contacting me by telephone about my life and good health. It really hurt me. I don’t know why some people take interest in spreading rumours about death or serious ailment of our innocent artist community. This must stop I believe,” she said.

The noted singer asked why those rumour- mongers didn’t come to their help in time of destitute and suffering. She said that the authorities concerned should take action against them.

Zarsanga has a large Pakhtun fans following in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Afghanistan and the Gulf States. Recently many of her diehard fans and well-wishers registered a quick response on social media to her false death news post. Literary and cultural organisations have condemned rumours on social media about death of Pashto noted artists.

“I am again being fed up with giving clarification statements to numerous phone callers from around the globe about false death news of our beloved folk artist Zarsanga Bibi. I wonder why some people count her days to death. She is very much alive and in her good health. I don’t know whosoever they are, but are liars to the core. Don’t bother about such white lies. I myself have talked to Zarsanga Bibi. She too seemed to be gravely hurt by such rumours. Thanks God, she is alright and death to those, who are bent on maligning our great artists,” responded a Pashto poet and local journalist in a post.

Farman Ali, another fan of Zarsanga, has commented: “Zarsanga Bibi is our great living folk legend. I condemn such derive in the strongest words against our senior and popular performers. If we cannot honour them, why should dishonour? Where our great artists expect love and respect from us, we wage false news posts complain to disown their contributions for our cultural identity. I hope, the unscrupulous rumour-mongers will stop such stupid attempts.”

Senior singer and chief of Hunari Tolana Gulzar Alam said that posting false news on social media regarding deaths of noted Pashto artists was demoralising attempt by some sick-minded elements. He said that artists and civil society members should come forward to raise voice against such rumour-mongers.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2016