Sona Mohapatra Reports Online Abuse After Criticizing Rahul Gandhi Over Himachal Pradesh Conditions
MUMBAI — Indian singer Sona Mohapatra said Wednesday that she has faced a wave of abusive messages on social media after criticizing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over environmental conditions in Himachal Pradesh, a state governed by his party.
Mohapatra shared screenshots of hostile comments on X, formerly Twitter, saying she had been subjected to political attacks since questioning Gandhi about the condition of the state’s hills and rivers.
“@buzzing_beez_ ,just the latest shining Eg of the avalanche of political abuse I’ve received since yesterday. My suggestion to RG is a real 1 cus proof of the pudding etc? P.S My reel q’ing indiscriminate mining in Odisha’s hills didn’t get me this hate.Left? Liberal?” she wrote.
The screenshots included profanity-laced comments accusing the singer of supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and criticizing her decision to question Gandhi.
The controversy began after Mohapatra responded to Gandhi’s comments about restoring democracy in India by urging him to focus on governance in Himachal Pradesh.
The singer said she had recently returned to the state after nine years and was disturbed by what she described as deteriorating environmental conditions, including garbage-covered hills and polluted rivers.
“Dear @RahulGandhi, before repairing democracy, could you start by repairing Himachal Pradesh? I returned after 9 years & was shocked by garbage-strewn hills and choking rivers. Make this Congress-governed state a model of governance. Earn the people’s mandate, don’t just demand it,” Mohapatra wrote.
Her remarks followed a statement by Gandhi criticizing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP-led central government.
“Gyanesh Kumar will go. This government will go. Then the repair of democracy will begin,” Gandhi had written on social media.
Mohapatra’s response drew criticism from social media users who accused her of selectively targeting the Congress leadership while supporting the BJP.
The singer rejected the political characterization of her comments, pointing out that she had previously raised concerns about environmental damage caused by indiscriminate mining in the hills of Odisha without receiving a similar backlash.
Her posts focused on environmental accountability and the responsibility of elected leaders to address problems in states governed by their parties.
The exchange has prompted a heated online discussion about political criticism, environmental governance and the treatment of public figures who express opinions on government performance. (Source: IANS)
