Who is Neha Singh Rathore? Singer booked for criticizing Modi govt

On April 25, an FIR was registered against famous Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore at the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow.

She is accused of posting a critical message against the Modi government on social media. The post is said to be “objectionable” and linked the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam to intelligence and security failures.

According to the complaint, some Pakistani journalists shared one of Neha’s videos on their X (formerly Twitter) accounts. In the video, Neha said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi might use the tragedy of the Pahalgam victims for campaigning in Bihar, just like what many claimed happened after the Pulwama attack in 2019.

The FIR mentions that her posts could disturb national harmony. It claims that her comments could create divisions among people based on caste and religion. Her statements, called “anti-national” by some, have become popular in Pakistan. There, media outlets are praising her criticisms of the Modi government and using her remarks against India.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also commented on the Pahalgam incident. He called it a serious security failure. However, he made it clear that India had no plans to take military action against Pakistan over the attack.

The complaint further says that Neha Singh Rathore insulted the nation’s image and also disrespected the literary world. In her video posted on April 25, Neha questioned Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. She said that while he acted strongly during the Russia-Ukraine war, he failed to stop terrorism inside India.

Neha also criticized supporters of the ruling party. She accused them of trying to stop people from asking questions about the government’s actions. She said important issues like health and education are being ignored while politics based on religion and nationalism is taking center stage.

In a mocking tone, Neha questioned the famous “56-inch chest” phrase often associated with Prime Minister Modi. She sarcastically asked if she should blame Muhammad Ali Jinnah instead for the issues India is facing today.

This is not the first time Neha Singh Rathore has faced legal trouble. In 2023, she was served a police notice for her song “UP Mein Ka Ba – Season 2.” In that song, she criticized the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the tragic deaths of a woman and her daughter in Kanpur Dehat.

Neha’s outspoken views continue to spark debates across the country. Her supporters praise her courage, while her critics accuse her of crossing the line.