Neha Singh Rathore Faces Sedition Charges Amid Pahalgam Fallout
Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore faces sedition charges under BNS and IT Act after a controversial post praised by Pakistani media.
Neha Singh Rathore Faces Sedition Charges Amid Pahalgam Fallout
In a rapidly unfolding controversy, Bhojpuri folk singer Neha Singh Rathore is now at the center of a legal storm after being accused of promoting communal unrest through her social media posts. Following the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, Rathore’s online comments drew significant attention — including from Pakistani media — sparking a chain of events that led to a sedition case against her.
Singer Booked Under BNS and IT Act for Controversial Posts
The Lucknow Police registered a case against Rathore after a complaint was lodged at the Hazratganj police station. According to PTI reports, complainant Abhay Pratap Singh alleged that Rathore’s social media activity, specifically from her X (formerly Twitter) account @nehafolksinger, could “adversely affect national integrity” and incite religious tensions.
Singh’s complaint detailed that Rathore’s posts were not only inflammatory but were also amplified by Pakistani media outlets, potentially magnifying their impact during a sensitive time for the nation.
Authorities charged Rathore under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections that deal with promoting sectarian enmity, disturbing public peace, and endangering India’s unity and sovereignty. She also faces charges under the Information Technology Act, which governs online conduct.
Although the revamped BNS no longer uses the exact term “sedition” — previously enshrined under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code — the new Section 152 effectively addresses acts that threaten national integrity, experts say.
Assam Cracks Down on “Seditious Comments” Following Attack
The reverberations of the Pahalgam attack were not limited to Rathore’s case. In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a wave of arrests targeting individuals accused of making “seditious comments” online in the aftermath.
“Total 16 arrests have been made till now against rogue elements,” Sarma shared on X, emphasizing his government’s zero-tolerance approach.
Among those arrested was Aminul Islam, an opposition MLA from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF). Sarma suggested that if necessary, the National Security Act (NSA) could be invoked against the detainees to ensure maximum penalties.
“There are no similarities between Bharat and Pakistan. The two countries are enemy nations and must remain so,” Sarma said, striking a hardline tone during a press interaction.
Assam CM’s Sharp Rebuke to Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
The situation escalated further when Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari commented on the Pahalgam attack. Sarma did not mince words in his response, invoking Pakistan’s own troubled political legacy.
“Pakistan has a long and bloody history of betrayal — it claimed the lives of Bilawal Bhutto’s grandfather and mother,” Sarma posted on X. “It is tragic that an unworthy son today chooses to dishonor their sacrifice.”
He ended his remarks with a stern warning: “No one can deter India from taking decisive action to safeguard its honor and its people.”
Such pointed rhetoric reflects the increasingly hardened stance among Indian political leaders against perceived external interference, particularly from Pakistan.
India Suspends Indus Water Treaty After Pahalgam Tragedy
In a significant diplomatic escalation, the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to suspend the 1960 Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan.
The Ministry of Water Resources formally notified Pakistan of the suspension, citing repeated violations of the treaty’s spirit and principles. Secretary Debashree Mukherjee conveyed to her Pakistani counterpart, Syed Ali Murtaza, that India could no longer maintain agreements with a country allegedly supporting cross-border terrorism.
The move marks a major shift in India-Pakistan relations, highlighting how terror incidents can have sweeping geopolitical consequences.
A Moment of Reckoning
The developments surrounding Neha Singh Rathore’s case reflect a larger theme playing out across India: the sharpening focus on national integrity in the face of both internal dissent and external provocations. Whether through arresting individuals accused of stirring unrest or taking diplomatic steps against neighboring countries, India’s leadership is signaling a readiness to act decisively.
As legal proceedings unfold and political tensions simmer, the situation serves as a stark reminder that in an era of digital immediacy, a single post can ripple across borders — and ignite a national response.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. It reflects the latest developments based on credible news sources but does not constitute legal advice or political commentary. The views expressed by individuals mentioned are their own.
source : The Economic Times