SHAHJAHANPUR (UP), AUGUST 23: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has found himself in fresh controversy after police in Uttar Pradesh registered a First Information Report (FIR) against him for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. The FIR, lodged at the Sadar Bazar Police Station in Shahjahanpur, came after a formal complaint was filed by the local BJP unit.
According to Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi, the FIR was registered late Friday based on a complaint by BJP city president Shilpi Gupta. In her complaint, Gupta alleged that Yadav’s comments — shared through the official RJD social media account — amounted to indecorous language against the Prime Minister and “deeply hurt public sentiment.” She further claimed the post created widespread resentment among BJP supporters and the general public.
The controversial post read: “Today, the vote thief will come to Gaya, Bihar, and will tell lie after lie in front of the Biharis.” The statement, which directly referred to Prime Minister Modi, was cited as provoking anger and unrest. Acting on the complaint, Shahjahanpur police booked Yadav under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 353(2) for spreading rumours and Section 197(1)A for making allegations through a picture.
Meanwhile, the troubles for Yadav are not confined to Uttar Pradesh. In Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, a separate FIR has been filed against him following a complaint lodged by local MLA Milind Narote. There too, police have charged him under multiple BNS sections — 196 (promoting enmity between groups), 356 (defamation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace), and 353 (statements causing public mischief).
These back-to-back FIRs highlight the increasing sensitivity surrounding political discourse, particularly when remarks are directed against the country’s top leadership. For Yadav, known for his sharp criticism of the ruling party, the legal cases mark a significant escalation, bringing his political rhetoric into the purview of criminal law.
While BJP leaders have welcomed the FIRs as a necessary step to protect the dignity of the Prime Minister, opposition voices are likely to frame the development as an attempt to stifle dissent and muzzle political criticism. With cases now registered in two states, Yadav’s legal and political battle is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.