Pro-Palestine social media influencer Shrishti Khanna, along with content creator Prashant Pundir, has reportedly been removed from her job after a controversial video featuring the two went viral online. The video, which circulated widely across social media platforms, was accused of promoting hostility and encouraging violence against Israeli tourists visiting India.

The reported action against Khanna came a few days after a Hindu activist account on X, known as @HinduITCell, contacted her employer regarding the nature of the content she was posting under the banner of “pro-Palestine” activism. The account raised concerns over the tone and messaging of her video, which it described as dangerous and inflammatory.

On Thursday, December 18, the same activist account claimed that Khanna had been terminated by her employer, Tickle Right. According to the post, this information was shared directly with them by the company’s legal representatives during a phone conversation. However, the account also made it clear that an official public statement from Tickle Right had not yet been released.

In its post, the account stated “Shrishti Khanna’s employment was terminated by Tickle Right, informed to us by their lawyers on call; however, we are still waiting for an official statement from Tickle Right. Post from her partner in crime, Prashant also confirms the same.” This message suggested that the dismissal was already communicated privately, even though no formal announcement had been made by the company.

Further supporting this claim, the account shared a screenshot of an Instagram story posted by Prashant Pundir, who collaborated with Khanna in the viral video. His post appeared to confirm that he, too, had faced consequences following the backlash. This strengthened reports that both Khanna and Pundir suffered professional fallout as a direct result of the controversial reel.

Content and Claims Made in the Viral Video

The controversy began with a video that quickly gained traction on X and Instagram, drawing strong reactions from viewers. In the clip, Khanna and Pundir criticised Israeli soldiers who travel to India after completing their mandatory military service, especially in the context of the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The video mentioned several popular Indian tourist destinations by name, including Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Dharamkot, Pushkar, and Kasol. The duo claimed that these places are commonly visited by Israeli soldiers after their service ends, suggesting that such trips are a regular and organised practice.

In the clip, Khanna makes the statement “Where do Israeli soldiers go after killing babies in Gaza? They come here, to India,” while describing India as one of the biggest travel destinations for Israelis after army service. This statement became one of the most widely shared and criticised parts of the video.

Khanna and Pundir also cited figures to support their argument, claiming that between 30,000 and 50,000 Israelis visit India every year, with the number going up to nearly 80,000 in some years. These numbers were used to underline the scale of Israeli tourism in the country.

According to the duo, these trips are not simply about leisure. They alleged that such travel is “state-sanctioned” and “military-approved,” portraying India as a country where Israeli soldiers can relax without facing questioning or accountability for their actions.

Claims That India Has Turned Into a ‘Rehab Centre’ for IDF Soldiers

In the same video, Khanna and Pundir further claimed that certain Indian tourist regions have gradually become spaces dominated by Israeli visitors. They alleged that areas such as Kasol, Dharamkot, and parts of Himachal Pradesh now function as informal Israeli hubs.

They referred to what they described as the “Hummus Trail,” suggesting a well-established travel route followed by Israeli tourists. According to them, several hostels in these regions display IDF-related symbols and flags, which they argued reflects the strong presence of Israeli military culture in these areas.

The duo also mentioned Goa, describing it as a hotspot for raves and drug parties, and referred to Dharamshala as having a “Mini Israel.” They argued that these developments point to a deeper political and ideological closeness between India and Israel.

Political Accusations and Ideological Arguments

Beyond tourism, the video moved into political territory. Khanna and Pundir connected Israeli travel in India to the broader defence relationship between the two countries. They alleged that India’s decision not to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court prevents the arrest of foreign soldiers accused of serious crimes such as genocide.

They further claimed that India spends around $3 billion every year on Israeli weapons, drones, and surveillance technology, which they said has been “tested on Palestinians.” These claims were used to argue that India is directly linked to Israel’s military actions.

The video also referenced a 1940 quote attributed to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar on Zionism. Using this, the duo argued that modern-day India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares an ideological vision with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

They ended this segment by stating “So when some say the Palestinian cause does not concern our motherland, the truth is that the IDF and the Zionists are literally in our backyard.” This line was presented as their concluding argument to connect the international conflict directly to India.

Online Outrage and Demands for Immediate Action

The video led to intense backlash online, with many users calling it extremely dangerous. Several people accused Khanna and Pundir of openly encouraging violence against Israeli and Jewish tourists in India.

One user wrote “This is one of the most dangerous things I’ve seen. It is a direct call for violence.” Many others echoed similar concerns and tagged authorities such as the Mumbai Police, the Maharashtra Director General of Police, and senior state officials, asking them to take swift action.

Some social media users also tagged the Israeli Embassy in India and the Ministry of External Affairs, warning that such statements could harm India’s diplomatic relations and put lives at risk.

‘Lady Umar Khalid’ Label Gains Traction Online

As the controversy grew, comparisons began circulating online between Shrishti Khanna and jailed activist Umar Khalid. Another video shared on social media shows Khanna talking about the dangers of pro-Palestine activism in India. In that clip, she mentions Khalid, calls for unity against what she describes as genocide in Gaza, and is seen wearing a keffiyeh scarf.

Critics began calling her “the female version of Umar Khalid” and a “ticking time bomb.” Many also questioned the source of her funding and the intentions behind her activism, further intensifying the online debate.