A well-known Pakistani YouTube personality, Rajab Butt, finds himself embroiled in a Blasphemy controversy after releasing a perfume named “295,” a direct nod to the blasphemy section of Pakistan’s penal code. The launch sparked outrage, leading to a formal complaint filed by TLP leader Haider Ali Shah Gillani on Monday. Gillani argued that naming the fragrance after the blasphemy law insulted religious sentiments, accusing Butt of glorifying the offense and attempting to normalize it.
Police acted quickly, filing charges against Butt that include Blasphemy and cybercrime violations, as outlined in an official charge sheet. If found guilty, Butt could face a decade behind bars. In Pakistan, blasphemy is a dangerous issue, where even unverified claims have historically triggered violent mob responses. High-profile cases like this often attract intense attention from religious factions and law enforcement.
Rajab Butt issued apology with Koran in hand
In response to the backlash, Butt issued an apology video, holding a Koran and expressing regret for his words during the perfume’s promotion. He also announced the product’s discontinuation. By Tuesday evening, he shared another video, seemingly filmed in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, wearing pilgrim attire with the Kaaba in the background. There, he denied the blasphemy accusations, calling them unjust, and revealed that a Fatwa had been issued against him. He pleaded for forgiveness and understanding, aiming to separate himself from any perceived challenge to Pakistan’s stringent blasphemy laws. Whether these efforts will sway the legal outcome remains unclear.
This isn’t Butt’s first brush with controversy. Last year, he faced similar blasphemy allegations over a video and has likened himself to Indian rapper Sidhu Moose Wala, who also referenced religious incitement laws in his track “295.” Separately, in January, Butt was charged for owning an undocumented lion cub—a wedding gift—escaping jail time by committing to produce animal rights content for a year. Across these cases, the social media star faces the recurring threat of up to 10 years in prison.
