Punjab’s Digital Creators Face Threats, Violence, and Exile Amid Rising Extremist Intolerance

A disturbing pattern of threats, violence, and moral policing is fast emerging in Punjab’s digital landscape — this time not against politicians or journalists, but against social media influencers. In less than a year, at least five influencers, including four women and one couple, have either been murdered, attacked, forced to flee the country, or subjected to death threats, as extremist groups unleash a coordinated campaign to control online narratives they deem “vulgar” or “culturally inappropriate”.

Their content, often humorous, bold, satirical, or promotional in nature, has made them popular across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. But that same success has attracted the ire of radical elements and self-appointed cultural gatekeepers who claim that such content “corrupts Punjabi youth” or “dishonors religious and community values”.

The atmosphere is eerily reminiscent of the 1980s, when popular singer Amar Singh Chamkila — famed for his bold lyrics and unmatched mass appeal — was assassinated for allegedly promoting obscenity through his music. Four decades later, his spiritual successors, armed with smartphones rather than harmoniums, are now facing the same threats for expressing themselves online.

At the heart of this escalating war is a question that cuts through the fabric of freedom in the digital age: Who gets to decide what is acceptable expression? And more importantly, why are creators — particularly women — being punished for online popularity and personal autonomy?

The murder of 29-year-old Kanchan Tiwari, popularly known as ‘Kamal Kaur Bhabhi’, past week marked the most gruesome escalation yet, but it’s far from an isolated case. From forced apologies and cyberbullying to real-world violence and exile, Punjab’s influencer community is caught in a spiral of fear.

A Ghastly Murder in Broad Daylight: Kamal Kaur Bhabhi’s Death

The most shocking incident so far is the brutal killing of Kanchan Tiwari, a Ludhiana-based influencer who had built a massive online following by creating satirical and suggestive content under the name ‘Kamal Kaur Bhabi’. Known for her comedic skits and double-entendre humour, Kamal had over one million followers, lucrative sponsorship deals, and a growing personal brand. But extremist groups didn’t see an entertainer — they saw a threat. Around seven months ago, Tiwari received chilling warnings from Canada-based designated terrorist Arsh Dalla, instructing her to stop making “obscene content” that allegedly misled Punjabi youth. Soon after, radical figure Amritpal Singh Mehron, claiming to lead the group ‘Koum De Rakhe’, also began targeting her publicly.  A week ago, on June 9, Kamal was allegedly lured to Bathinda under the pretense of shooting a promotional video. There, she was murdered, and her body was abandoned in a parked car outside a hospital. Her killing sent shockwaves through Punjab’s creator community and reignited painful memories of singer Amar Singh Chamkila, who was assassinated in 1988 under similar circumstances after years of threats for his bold lyrical content.

Kulhad Pizza Couple: From Innovation to Exile

From comedy to cuisine, the wrath of radicalism has spared no genre. Sahaj Arora and Gurpreet Kaur, popularly known as the ‘Kulhad Pizza couple’ from Jalandhar, rose to fame for their unique idea of serving pizza in traditional clay cups. Their content was widely appreciated, turning their small eatery into a viral brand. But when an alleged explicit video of the couple surfaced online, things turned dark. Extremist trolls began accusing them of “defaming Sikh identity”, especially because Sahaj wore a turban. Threats followed, with demands that he remove his turban or stop posting videos altogether. Fearful for their safety, the couple approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court and were granted temporary security on November 14, 2024. Still, the mental and emotional toll proved overwhelming. By January 2025, the couple had quietly fled to the United Kingdom — leaving behind their business, followers, and sense of safety.

Across Borders, the Hate Travels: The Joginder Bassi Attack

Even those based abroad aren’t immune. Joginder Singh Bassi, a seasoned Punjabi radio broadcaster and political commentator based in Toronto, Canada, has also come under attack. Known for his candid discussions on Punjab politics, extremism, and diaspora issues, Bassi has long drawn the ire of Khalistani supporters. In January 2025, his home was vandalized in an apparent warning. Attackers damaged his garage, prompting Bassi to publicly accuse Khalistani extremists of trying to silence his voice. “This isn’t just an attack on me,” Bassi stated on-air, “this is an attack on free expression within our community”. Despite registering a complaint with Toronto Police, Bassi continues to receive death threats online.

Deepika Luthra: When Apology Isn’t Enough

Deepika Luthra, a fashion and lifestyle influencer from Amritsar with more than three lakh followers, has gone from creating content to dodging danger. Initially known for humorous videos with occasional double-meaning jokes, Deepika shifted to cleaner, brand-centric content following online threats in March 2025. She was forced to issue a public apology, which she posted on Instagram at the behest of Amritpal Mehron. But instead of peace, she received more threats — this time via email from an account claiming to represent Babbar Khalsa International, a banned terror group. The message was blunt: stop immediately or end up like Kamal Kaur Bhabhi. Deepika has since filed a formal complaint with Punjab’s Cyber Crime Cell, stating that she holds the government responsible if anything were to happen to her or her family.

Preet Jatti’s Cry for Help: ‘Even My Baby Isn’t Safe’

Simranjeet Kaur, known online as Preet Jatti, is an influencer from Tarn Taran with no history of vulgar content. Yet she, too, is facing threats — this time allegedly for promoting astrologers. After receiving repeated calls and videos from foreign numbers, she filed a complaint with the local SSP office. Simranjeet, a mother to a five-month-old baby, made a heartfelt appeal: “I don’t even wear short clothes in my videos. I haven’t promoted any astrologer in months. Still, they say I only have two days left. Please, stop torturing me.” Her video, where she folds hands and pleads for peace, has gone viral — becoming a symbol of the growing vulnerability faced by Punjab’s digital creators.

A Gendered Lens: Why Are Women the Prime Targets?

A closer look at the victims revealed a disturbing gender dynamic — four out of the five targeted influencers are women. Many of them come from modest backgrounds, are self-made entrepreneurs, and use social media not only to entertain but to earn a living. What seems to trouble their detractors most is their visibility and autonomy — women who speak boldly, dress freely, and build public personas that challenge conservative cultural norms. Radical groups have weaponized morality to police women’s bodies, voices, and success. And in doing so, they have turned the internet into yet another unsafe space — mirroring real-world gender biases.

Digital Fame, Real-World Danger: The Shrinking Space for Expression

What began as isolated online trolling has now evolved into a systemic campaign to silence digital voices. Influencers — many without political backing, security, or institutional support — are left to navigate a dangerous terrain where fame attracts followers, and followers invite threats. Several influencers have already begun to self-censor. Others are leaving the field altogether, too scared to continue. And those who persist, like Deepika and Simranjeet, do so under constant fear.

Despite multiple police complaints, few arrests have been made, and even fewer convictions seem likely. The Punjab Police has remained tight-lipped, often reacting only after media coverage or political outrage. Legal experts warned that if authorities don’t take a stand now, a culture of impunity will embolden more attacks.

INFLUENCERS UNDER ATTACK

Influencer Name	Platform/Content	Action Taken/Threat Faced
Kamal Kaur Bhabhi (Kanchan Tiwari)	Double-meaning reels on Instagram	Murdered in Bathinda by Amritpal Singh Mehron, also received threats from gangster Arsh Dalla
‘Kulhad Pizza’ Couple (Sahaj & Gurpreet)	Food-based Viral Content	Fled to the UK after threats over “leaked intimate video”
Deepika Luthra	Fashion And Lifestyle Influencer	Received death threats from extremists; filed complaint with Punjab Police Cyber Cell
Joginder Bassi	Radio Editor and Political Commentator	Attacked in Toronto; garage vandalized, accused of being a “govt agent”
Simranjit Kaur (Preet Jatti)	Lifestyle reels, Astrology promos	Received threats from foreign numbers; Sought SSP protection