A popular Bhojpuri singer has been served notice by the Uttar Pradesh Police for a satirical song that taunted the Yogi Adityanath government for its eviction drive in the stateโs Kanpur, which led to the deaths of a mother and a daughter, reported NDTV.
Singer Neha Singh Rathore recently uploaded a variation of her viral song โUP Mein Ka Baโ in which she spoke of Pramila Dixit, 45, and her daughter Neha, 20, who died in their hut that was set on fire, allegedly by policemen last week.
เคฏเฅ เคชเฅ เคฎเฅเค เคเคพ เคฌเคพ..!
Season 2#nehasinghrathore #kanpur #KANPUR_DEHAT #up #UPCM #Government #democracy #death pic.twitter.com/Onhv0Lhw12
โ Neha Singh Rathore (@nehafolksinger) February 16, 2023
The song prompted the Uttar Pradesh Police to show up at her door on Tuesday night, alleging that it has โcreated a situation of disharmony and tensionโ in society. Ms. Rathore has been given three days to respond to a litany of questions about the song and how it was produced.
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The police have asked her to confirm that it was her who is seen in the video if she wrote the lyrics, and whether she stood by them. The police also asked whether she was โaware of the adverse impact of the video on societyโ.
โThis song has created enmity and tension in society, and you are legally bound to make your stand clear on the issue. So, you are required to file your reply within three days of receiving the notice,โ the UP Policeโs notice read.
โIf your reply is not found satisfactory, a case will be registeredโฆ and proper legal investigation will be carried out,โ it added.
While Ms Neha Singh. Rathore is best known to a wider audience for her viral song โUP Mein Ka Baโ that needled the Adityanath government ahead of last yearโs elections, she has an extensive body of work that includes satirical pieces taking on other politicians like Biharโs Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav.
Among those who condemned the police action against the singer were former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Delhiโs Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
โWhen the popular singer @nehafolksinger asked fearless questions, the BJP government sent a notice to her house through the hands of the policeโฆ Is BJP so scared of the voice of a folk singer? Embarrassing. This is very shameful,โ Mr. Sisodia wrote.
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