Haryana Women’s Commission Orders Police to Arrest Rapper Badshah Over Controversial Song
CHANDIGARH — The Haryana State Commission for Women has directed state police to arrest rapper-singer Badshah after he failed to appear before the panel in Panipat on Friday in connection with a controversy surrounding his Haryanvi track “Tateeree.”
Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia said police in Panipat and Panchkula were instructed to take action against the artist after he did not respond to a summons issued by the commission.
She also said authorities could confiscate Badshah’s passport if necessary to prevent him from leaving the country during the investigation.
Bhatia added that notices had been issued across the state stating that the rapper would not be permitted to hold performances in Haryana unless he appeared before the commission.
The commission declined to meet with Badshah’s legal counsel, stating that the singer had been instructed to appear in person by 3 p.m. Friday.
Speaking to reporters in Panipat, the rapper’s lawyer said they had received a scheduled time slot from the commission and defended the artist.
“Badshah is an artist and brings glory to Haryana,” the counsel said.
The lawyer also noted that the rapper had already posted a video on social media apologizing and saying he did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments.
Complainant Savita Arya told reporters that the commission chairperson refused to meet the lawyer and had made it clear that the matter could be resolved if the singer appeared by the deadline.
“If Badshah appears by 3 p.m., the dispute could be resolved; otherwise, action would be initiated against him,” Arya said.
Last week, police in Haryana registered a First Information Report and began the process of issuing a lookout notice against the artist, whose real name is Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia.
According to the complaint, the music video for “Tateeree,” released on Badshah’s official YouTube channel, shows girls in school uniforms dancing inside a Haryana Roadways bus while making gestures that critics have described as objectionable.
The Haryana State Commission for Women took notice of the video and summoned the singer for questioning.
In addition to Arya, president of the Nari Tu Narayani Utthan Samiti in Panipat, another complainant — Shiv Kumar, director of the Shiv Aarti India Foundation — alleged that the song contains objectionable language and sexualized references that objectify women and minors. (Source: IANS)
