Lucknow, April 28 — Police in Lucknow have registered a case of sedition against folk singer Neha Singh Rathore over allegations that her social media posts targeting a particular community following the Pahalgam tragedy could harm India’s unity.
The complaint, filed by Abhay Pratap Singh at Hazratganj police station, accused Rathore of posting provocative content through her X handle, @nehafolksinger, in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, which left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.
Singh said, “In this situation, singer and poetess Neha Singh Rathore, using her Twitter (now X) handle @nehafolksinger, made some objectionable posts that can adversely affect the national integrity and made repeated efforts to incite one community against another based on religion.”
Police said Rathore has been booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for promoting sectarian animosity, disturbing public tranquillity, and endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of the country.
Charges under the Information Technology Act have also been invoked.
While the newly implemented BNS does not retain the colonial-era sedition law outlined in Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code, it addresses similar offenses under Section 152, focusing on actions endangering the sovereignty and unity of India.
The case stems from widespread national outrage and mourning after the Pahalgam killings, where terrorists targeted civilians, triggering an outpouring of grief and calls for justice across the country.
