Defying potential backlash, Bhojpuri folk singer Neha Singh Rathore arrived at Lucknow’s Hazratganj thana on Monday morning, ready to face scrutiny over her contentious social media posts. The Supreme Court, having stayed her arrest, directed her to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
Speaking to IANS at 11 AM sharp, she declared, ‘Adhering to the court’s January 19 schedule, I’m here to assist the investigating officer. I stand by the judicial process.’
Roots of the dispute lie in the Pahalgam massacre, where terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir slaughtered tourists after probing their faith. Rathore’s reaction included sharing songs and statements, notably the incendiary ‘Chaukidaru Kayar Ba’ unveiled in May 2025, accused of maligning the BJP government.
The fallout was swift: over 500 complaints nationwide, including 318 from Lanka police station in Varanasi. Charges invoke damage to national cohesion and communal peace, amplified by the content’s popularity in Pakistan, where it was weaponized against India.
The Hazratganj case anchors the probe. After Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench dismissed her anticipatory bail on December 5, 2025, and police notices followed, the Supreme Court intervened on January 8, enforcing cooperation sans custody.
Rathore’s poised demeanor today signals resolve amid controversy, as legal battles test boundaries of dissent in a democracy grappling with security sensitivities.