Neha Singh Rathore: The folk voice defying Modi’s narrative

Bhojpuri singer and political satirist Neha Singh Rathore has once again stirred controversy with a bold critique of the Modi government. In a viral social media video, Rathore sarcastically attacked the distribution of sindoor packets by the BJP during celebrations marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election victory in 2024.

She remarked, “If Modi had won a war, he would’ve distributed not just sindoor, but also bindi, nail polish, and combs!” Taking a direct jab, she added, “Modi ji! Giving sindoor to private women is a sin.”

The BJP had distributed sindoor (vermilion) packets to women in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, calling it a symbolic gesture of Modi’s victory. Rathore questioned this practice and sarcastically asked, “Isn’t the picture on the sindoor box of Modi ji?”

BJP Reacts, Accuses Rathore of “Insulting Prime Minister”
As expected, Rathore’s satire sparked outrage among BJP leaders and spokespersons, who accused her of insulting the Prime Minister, damaging the image of the country, and crossing limits of political discourse.

This is not Rathore’s first run-in with the ruling establishment. She is already facing a legal case for allegedly spreading disharmony through a post related to the Pahalgam terror attack. In the past, her viral songs like “UP Mein Ka Ba” and “Bihar Mein Ka Ba” have criticized governance issues in BJP-ruled states, making her a prominent voice of dissent in Indian folk culture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmjxBYsAaSM

Neha Singh Rathore: The Folk Voice Defying Modi’s Narrative
Rathore has become a symbol of resistance and fearless expression, especially for the marginalized communities silenced under the current political climate. Supporters are hailing her latest video as a “bitter but necessary statement of truth”, asserting that her satire echoes the suppressed sentiments of millions.

While the Modi government champions slogans like “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” and projects itself as a guardian of women’s rights, it now finds itself targeting a female folk artist for speaking out. Critics argue that this reaction only exposes the hypocrisy of the ruling party.

Neha Singh Rathore’s satire is more than a cultural moment—it is a political statement reverberating not just across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, but also across borders, highlighting the growing disconnect between government image-building and ground realities.