Folk Singer Neha Singh Rathore Faces Legal Action Over Provocative Pahalgam Attack Posts
Lucknow, April 28, 2025: Uttar Pradesh Police have booked Bhojpuri folk singer Neha Singh Rathore for sharing “objectionable” social media posts following the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives. The posts, deemed provocative, allegedly targeted a specific faith community, prompting charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
Case Filed Against Rathore
On Sunday, a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at Hazratganj police station in Lucknow based on a complaint by poet Abhay Pratap Singh, a resident of Gudamba. The complainant accused Rathore of using her X handle (
@nehafolksinger) to post content that could undermine national integrity and incite communal disharmony. The posts were linked to the recent Pahalgam attack, with authorities stating they threatened public peace and India’s sovereignty.
Rathore has been charged with promoting enmity between groups, disturbing public tranquility, and endangering national unity. The police are investigating her social media activity under relevant legal provisions.
Neha Singh Rathore’s Defense
In response, Rathore posted a video on X, refuting allegations of being anti-national. She highlighted her family’s deep ties to the Indian armed forces, stating, “Fourteen members of my family have served in the Indian Army and paramilitary forces. My brother is fighting Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, and my uncle fought in the Kargil war.” She claimed the accusations stemmed from a Pakistani social media handle copying her video, which was then used to label her as anti-national by critics, including the BJP’s IT cell.
Who is Neha Singh Rathore?
Born in 1997 in Bihar’s Kaimur district, Neha Singh Rathore is a folk singer dedicated to reviving the honor of Bhojpuri music. Raised in Jandaha, Bihar, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Kanpur University in 2018. Rathore gained prominence with her 2020 song Bihar Mein Ka Ba, followed by the viral UP Mein Ka Ba in 2022. Her music addresses social issues like unemployment, corruption, dowry, and governance failures, including the Covid-19 crisis, Lakhimpur Kheri violence, and Hathras gang rape case.
Rathore launched her YouTube channel in May 2020 to spotlight the struggles of migrant workers during the Covid-19 lockdown. Married to writer Himanshu Singh since 2021, she has faced prior controversies, including a 2023 case over a caricature related to the Madhya Pradesh urination incident and a notice from Kanpur Police for allegedly inciting hatred through UP Mein Ka Ba? Session-2.
History of Controversies
This is not the first time Rathore has faced legal scrutiny. In February 2023, she was served a notice by Kanpur Police for her song UP Mein Ka Ba? Session-2, accused of promoting hatred. Later, in July 2023, a case was filed against her for posting a caricature about the Madhya Pradesh urination incident, which sparked significant backlash. Her songs, including MP Mein Ka Ba? (2023), often critique governance and social injustices, making her a polarizing figure on social media.
Public and Political Reactions
The Pahalgam attack has triggered widespread outrage, with public figures like Javed Akhtar, Vijay Deverakonda, and Atul Kulkarni condemning the violence. Rathore’s posts, however, have drawn criticism for allegedly fueling communal tensions. As the investigation unfolds, the case highlights the delicate balance between free expression and maintaining communal harmony in the wake of national tragedies.
