Bonanza Satrangi CEO faces backlash over viral post allegedly targeting Shia community, social media calls for boycotting brand

KARACHI: A social media controversy has erupted around Maryam Hanif Bilwani, identified online as the CEO of clothing brand Bonanza Satrangi, after screenshots of a now-deleted social media post about Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began circulating widely online.

The controversy gained traction after a video reel compiling screenshots of Bilwani’s social media activity spread across platforms, with users alleging that her comments targeted the Shia community. The reel highlighted a line attributed to Bilwani stating, “He/Shia was an enemy of Islam,” which many viewers interpreted as a sectarian remark.

The video quickly triggered strong reactions online, with numerous users calling for a boycott of the clothing brand. Critics argued that statements perceived as sectarian were harmful at a time when many Muslims advocate for unity between sects.

Some users on social media expressed concern about the potential impact of such remarks. One commenter wrote, “Shia–Sunni unity is not a joke. Anyone trying to create hatred and conflict among Muslims should be boycotted.” Another said they would stop supporting the brand, emphasizing the importance of unity within the Muslim community.

Amid the growing backlash, Bilwani issued a public clarification, stating that her comments had been misinterpreted and taken out of context. In her response, she wrote that some people were attempting to harm her business by misrepresenting her words.

“I never called Khamenei a Jew,” she wrote, adding that her statement referred to what she described as positions taken against Sunnis. Bilwani also apologized to the citizens of Pakistan and asked people not to involve her business in the controversy.

“Our family has made a lot of sacrifices to build this business. Please do not name our business,” she said in the statement, concluding with an apology.

Despite the clarification, debate continues online, with users divided over whether the remarks were misunderstood or indicative of sectarian sentiment.

The clothing brand Bonanza Satrangi has not issued a separate official statement regarding the controversy at the time of reporting.

As per one page, there is a claim that a legal notice has been issued to Bilwani. The notice, it says has been sent by senior lawyer Shahryar Dilshad of Haider Law Associates on behalf of Karachi resident Bilawal Hussain Baloch, alleges that Bilwani described the Iranian leader as an enemy of Islam.