NWMI Stands Firm with Medusa, Neha, and Ranting Gola in Free Speech Fight

New Delhi- The Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) has strongly denounced the severe charges leveled against satirists Neha Singh Rathore and Madri Kakoti (known as Dr. Medusa), as well as a complaint against Shamita Yadav (The Ranting Gola), for questioning the government’s handling of the tragic Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025.

The government’s response has also targeted journalists, with Sanjay Sharma, editor of the YouTube channel “4 PM News,” facing a channel block by the Union government since April 29, 2025, citing national security concerns.

The Pahalgam Attack

On April 22, 2025, four gunmen opened fire on tourists and locals in the serene meadows of Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, killing 25 male tourists and a pony ride operator who heroically attempted to disarm one of the attackers. Reports indicate that women and children were spared, but the assailants allegedly targeted male adults after ascertaining their religious or community affiliations. Survivors have highlighted the absence of security forces in the area, leaving locals to provide critical assistance in the aftermath. The attack has reignited debates about security lapses and the government’s ability to protect citizens in vulnerable regions.

Draconian Charges Against Satirists

Neha Singh Rathore, a renowned Bhojpuri singer and satirist, posted a video on the social media platform X, raising pointed questions about the government’s failure to ensure citizen safety in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. In response, she was charged with offenses under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Section 152 (acts endangering sovereignty, integrity, and unity of India), Sections 196, 197, 353, and 302, as well as Section 69(a) of the Information Technology Act, 2008. The charges, filed at Hazratganj police station in Lucknow, were based on a complaint by an activist from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These charges carry severe penalties, including the possibility of life imprisonment.

Similarly, Madri Kakoti, known as Dr. Medusa, faced legal action after a post on X that drew parallels between the Pahalgam attack and other religiously motivated incidents, such as lynchings and discriminatory practices. Kakoti labeled these acts as terrorism, prompting a case to be filed against her at Hasanganj police station in Lucknow. The complaint, lodged by Justin Shukla, an ABVP member and Lucknow University student, accused her of spreading enmity and enabling separatist activity under BNS Sections 152, 196, 197, 302, 352, 353, and provisions of the IT Act.

Section 152 of the BNS, which replaced the colonial-era sedition law (Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, currently in abeyance by the Supreme Court), has drawn widespread criticism for its vague wording and potential for misuse. The NWMI has expressed alarm that such charges, which include accusations of inciting secession, armed rebellion, and subversive activities, are being used to silence Rathore and Kakoti for exercising their democratic right to question those in power.

Shamita Yadav, known as The Ranting Gola, a popular political commentator, also faced a complaint filed by advocate Amita Sachdeva. The complaint accused Yadav of spreading “anti-Bharat propaganda,” insulting the Manusmriti, and amplifying content shared by a Pakistani social media account. Between April 23 and 29, 2025, Yadav posted four videos condemning the security lapses in Pahalgam and demanding accountability from the Union government, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Union Defence Ministry. The NWMI notes that these questions echo concerns raised by survivors and citizens across the country, both in the media and through public demonstrations.

The NWMI has raised serious concerns about the broader implications of these actions, which it views as indicative of an authoritarian and illiberal approach to dissent. The levying of charges such as secession and separatism against satirists and commentators for questioning government accountability strikes at the heart of democratic principles. The organization has also highlighted the contrast between the measured sentiments of survivors, who praised local assistance in the absence of security forces, and the inflammatory rhetoric of right-wing elements. Reports of Kashmiri students being targeted in educational institutions and the demonization of Muslim communities in various parts of the country further underscore the divisive atmosphere.

The NWMI points out that satire and social media commentary have become powerful tools for raising critical social and political issues in India. Ironically, the BJP itself has recognized the influence of social media, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaging directly with pro-right influencers and the Uttar Pradesh government introducing a 2024 social media policy to reward influencers for “positive” content. The targeting of Rathore, Kakoti, Yadav, and Sharma, however, suggests a selective tolerance for free expression, where dissent is met with repression.