Bhojpuri Singer Neha Singh Rathore Booked Over Social Media Post Criticizing Modi Government After Pahalgam Attack

Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore has been booked on sedition charges after posting an “objectionable” message on social media, criticizing the Modi government.

Rathore alleged that the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 civilian lives, was due to intelligence and security failures.

The case was registered at Lucknow’s Hazratganj after a video, shared by an X handle operated by a Pakistani journalists’ group, reposted her remarks.

In the video, Rathore claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi would now seek votes in Bihar by invoking the Pahalgam incident, similarly to the 2019 Pulwama attack.

Allegations and FIR Details

According to the FIR, Rathore’s social media post could harm national integrity by inciting crimes based on religion and caste.

It further alleged that she consistently shared videos questioning the deaths of innocent people in the Pahalgam attack. The FIR also stated that Rathore’s “anti-national” statements were being celebrated in Pakistan and used by Pakistani media against India.

Additionally, she was accused of dishonoring India’s poet community and tarnishing the nation’s image.

Rathore’s Video and Comments

In a video posted on April 25, Rathore criticized Prime Minister Modi, saying that while he could “bring a halt to the Russia-Ukraine war,” he failed to prevent a terrorist attack at home.

She addressed Modi supporters who asked her not to politicize the issue, questioning what topics were left to discuss if education and health were no longer relevant.

“People are being killed despite the politics of nationalism and Hindu-Muslim is at its peak in the country,” Rathore said.

Referring to Modi’s often-quoted “56-inch chest,” Rathore questioned why, despite strong leadership claims, citizens continued to die in terrorist attacks.

“Should I question Mohammad Ali Jinnah?” she asked sarcastically. She also asserted that Modi would seek votes using the Pahalgam attack victims, as she claimed happened after Pulwama.

Past Controversies

In 2023, Neha Singh Rathore was served a police notice over her song ‘UP Me Ka Ba- Season 2,’ which criticized the Uttar Pradesh government after a mother-daughter duo died during an eviction drive in Kanpur Dehat.

The recent sedition charges stem from a formal complaint filed by Abhay Pratap Singh, who accused Rathore of using her X account to share “anti-national” content intended to fuel religious discord. Rathore’s post was reportedly praised and reshared by Pakistani media outlets.

Family Testimonies and Communal Angle

Families of the Pahalgam attack victims reported that terrorists asked about their religion before shooting. Those who identified as Hindu were killed, according to the victims’ families.

The police FIR against Rathore claims her social media activity exacerbated communal tensions during this sensitive time.

Who Is Neha Singh Rathore?

Neha Singh Rathore is a folk singer and political satirist, widely recognized for her Bhojpuri compositions addressing social and political issues.

Born in 1997 in Jandaha, Bihar, she completed her Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree at Kanpur University in 2018.

Rathore began her career in 2019 by recording Bhojpuri folk songs on her mobile phone and sharing them via Facebook.

In May 2020, she created a YouTube channel to highlight the struggles of migrant workers during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Her socially charged songs quickly gained traction, and by October 2020, she had established herself as a prominent voice in political satire. By 2021, her YouTube channel had amassed over 1 lakh subscribers.

Popular Songs and Legal Challenges

Some of Rathore’s well-known songs include ‘Bihar Mein Ka Ba’ (2020), ‘UP Mein Ka Ba?’ (2022), ‘UP Mein Ka Ba? Session-2’ (2023), and ‘MP Mein Ka Ba?’ (2023).

These compositions critiqued governance issues across different states and were widely shared on social media.

In July 2023, Rathore faced legal action after posting a caricature related to the infamous Madhya Pradesh urination incident, where a video emerged of a man urinating on a tribal laborer.

Around the same time, her song ‘MP Mein Ka Ba?’ gained popularity during the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly election season.

Fresh Charges Under New Laws

Now, Rathore faces new charges in Lucknow under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for promoting sectarian hostility, disturbing public peace, and endangering India’s sovereignty and integrity.

She has also been booked under sections of the Information Technology Act related to provocative online behavior.