Bhojpuri singer served police notice over satirical song taunting UP government
Lucknow: Neha Singh Rathore, a Bhojpuri singer, has been served notice for questioning through her music the Uttar Pradesh state government eviction drive that recently resulted in the death of a mother-daughter duo.
Neha uploaded her satirical song in Bhojpuri ‘UP Mein Ka Ba’ (What’s this in UP?) recently on social media, where she pointed out how Pramila Dixit, 45, and her daughter Neha, 20, who were residents of Kanpur Dehat, died in their hut, which was set on fire allegedly by policemen last week, reports NDTV.
While Neha’s song has received a lot of support from the citizens, the Uttar Pradesh police showed up at the singer’s door Tuesday night, alleging that the song had given rise to social tension.
The Uttar Pradesh Police chief has told the singer in the notice, “The song has created animosity in society. You are legally bound to make your stand clear regarding the matter and, therefore, required to file your reply within three days of receiving this notice.”
Neha has been asked to confirm if it is she who is seen in the video. She has been asked if she wrote the lyrics and if she supported the lines. She has also been asked if she understands the adverse impact it would have on society.
The singer has been warned, “If your reply is not found satisfactory, a case will be registered and appropriate legal action will be taken.”
Neha, who hit a note with the people prior to the polls in Uttar Pradesh last year, when she questioned the Adityanath government about various issues, has also released satirical verses on other senior politicians like Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar.
The issuance of a notice to Neha has been condemned by former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
"When the popular singer @nehafolksinger asked fearless questions, the BJP government sent a notice to her house through the hands of the police... Is BJP so scared of the voice of a folk singer? Embarrassing. This is very shameful," Sisodia posted.
यू पी में का बा..!
— Neha Singh Rathore (@nehafolksinger) February 16, 2023
Season 2#nehasinghrathore #kanpur #KANPUR_DEHAT #up #UPCM #Government #democracy #death pic.twitter.com/Onhv0Lhw12
'यू पी में का बा!' पर पुलिस का नोटिस..!#Nehasinghrathore #up @Uppolice @myogiadityanath @myogioffice #democracy pic.twitter.com/szZUsqvRCu
— Neha Singh Rathore (@nehafolksinger) February 21, 2023
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Become CM after winning next Assembly polls: Minister KN Rajanna to DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Jan 10: Karnataka Minister K N Rajanna on Friday suggested Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to become Chief Minister of the state for the full five years, after winning the next Assembly polls under his leadership, rather than eyeing the post during the remaining two-and-half years of the current government's tenure.
His comments came following Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's recent dinner with select Dalit and ST Cabinet colleagues, creating a buzz within the Congress, amid speculation about a possible change of guard in the state after March, under a "rotational chief minister" or "power-sharing" formula.
Cooperation Minister Rajanna, who is considered to be a confidant of Siddaramaiah, was also part of the dinner meeting.
Shivakumar has made no secret of his ambition to become the CM.
"As a human being, the desire for power is natural. I don't feel that him (Shivakumar) showing interest or desire for the Chief Minister post is wrong. Previous (2023) election was under the leadership of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, and people blessed us (Congress)," Rajanna said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, the high command has appointed the legislature party leader, who is the CM, and they have the powers to change the leader in the future if they want, and everyone will accept whatever decision they make.
"Let's go for the next Assembly polls under Shivakumar's leadership, and with the party coming to power once again under his leadership, let him be the chief minister for the full five years, why fight for two-and-half years now?"
Rajanna said, "I'm not saying don't fight for two-and-half years. My suggestion for him is why fight to be CM for two-and-half years, become CM for a full five years. Who will object..."
Asked if he will be minister in Shivakumar's cabinet if there is a chance, Rajanna said, he won't contest elections anymore, and also don't expect to become minister in anyone's cabinet.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the CM's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy Chief Minister.
There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
A meeting of Congress leaders, ministers, and lawmakers from SC/ST communities, scheduled for Wednesday evening under the leadership of Home Minister G Parameshwara and supported by Rajanna, had to be postponed following instructions from AICC general secretary in-charge of the state, Randeep Singh Surjewala.
According to sources, the decision to postpone the meeting came after Shivakumar, a chief ministerial aspirant, met AICC general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal in New Delhi on Monday night to discuss party developments.
A section within the Congress feels that the SC/ST convention and Parameshwara's dinner meeting could revive the demand for a Dalit or AHINDA (a Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) leader to become the next chief minister. This could complicate Shivakumar's prospects if Siddaramaiah steps down after the state budget, as speculated.
Rajanna had in the past demanded the party to enforce the 'one person, one post' policy, which was seen as a move to mount pressure on Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief.
He had also batted for three more Deputy Chief Ministers -- from Veerashaiva-Lingayat, SC/ST and minority communities -- along with Shivakumar a Vokkaliga.
Reacting to union minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy's 60 per cent commission charge against the Congress government, Rajanna said, "Ask Kumaraswamy how much is his percentage and let's say what is the difference later. Is Kumaraswamy a Satya Harishchandra?"
Claiming that 90 per cent of political leaders in this country are corrupt, he said, "How much would we spend during elections? Where does that money come from? Do we spend by selling our assets? Don't we borrow from someone for it? Does the person who lends money, lends just like that? If we speak the truth before the media, it will become an issue. The situation is such that the truth cannot not be spoken."
