On the eve of Dhanteras 2025, when millions of Indians were preparing to buy gold and silver for prosperity, Malabar Gold & Diamonds faced massive backlash online.
The Kerala-based jewelry giant was accused of collaborating with a Pakistani influencer, Alishba Khalid, who had earlier mocked India’s Operation Sindoor and called it a “cowardly act.” The outrage grew just before the festival, with boycott calls trending across social media platforms.
Who is Alishba Khalid
Alishba Khalid is a London-based Pakistani digital creator, filmmaker, and traveler. Her Instagram profile, followed by over 137,000 users, showcases collaborations with PR and media firms across the UK and Europe. She runs Downtown Studio London and Downtown Travelers, promoting fashion, lifestyle, and travel content.
However, her fame turned controversial after her anti-India posts surfaced earlier this year. In May, she openly criticized India’s military action Operation Sindoor against terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, spreading misinformation based on claims by Pakistan’s ISPR.
What Alishba Khalid Said on Operation Sindoor?
“What a cowardly act, India. You failed to provide evidence of Pakistan’s involvement. You chose to attack at night, targeting a mosque and taking civilian lives. The world’s largest democracy has shown the greatest hypocrisy… PAKISTAN ZINDABAD,” she posted.
She went further, addressing her Indian followers, “I know that 60% of my followers are from India, but to be honest, I don’t care anymore. I don’t care about them. I care about my country, my people, and standing on the right side of history.”
In another deleted post, she posed with a Pakistani flag, writing, “Shame on you, India! Killing the innocent isn’t strength; it’s pure cowardice. We are not afraid, and we never will be.”
Malabar Gold’s Clarification
The controversy erupted after Alishba appeared at Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ London showroom launch. The company faced heavy criticism for associating with someone who had mocked India’s military operations.
Responding to the backlash, Malabar said that it had hired JAB Studios, a UK-based influencer agency, to promote its London event and had “no prior knowledge” of Alishba’s political stance or past statements. The company clarified that the collaboration happened before her controversial remarks surfaced and that ties were immediately severed once her comments came to light.
Owned by Kerala-based billionaire M Ahammed, the brand filed a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking the removal of over 440 defamatory online posts linking the company to Pakistan. Malabar stated that the allegations were hurting sales during the festive season.
