Singer Sona Mohapatra has alleged that she faced an “avalanche of political abuse” on social media after questioning Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the condition of Himachal Pradesh, a state governed by his party.
On Wednesday, Mohapatra took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and shared a screenshot of abusive comments she said she had received following her remarks.
Sharing the screenshot, the singer wrote, “@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? (sic).”
The screenshot included comments containing personal insults and political abuse directed at the singer, including criticism of her views on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The online backlash followed Mohapatra’s criticism of Rahul Gandhi, in which she urged the Congress leader to address the condition of Himachal Pradesh before speaking about repairing democracy in the country.
Mohapatra said she was shocked by the condition of the state’s hills and rivers when she returned after a gap of nine years. Highlighting concerns over waste and environmental degradation, she called on the Congress leadership to make the state an example of good governance.
In her earlier post, she wrote, “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.”
The singer’s remarks came in response to Rahul Gandhi’s comments concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP-led government. Gandhi had argued that the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner and the government would pave the way for restoring democracy in the country.
“Gyanesh Kumar will go. This government will go. Then the repair of democracy will begin,” Gandhi had written.
Mohapatra’s latest post has brought renewed attention to the online abuse directed at public figures amid political disagreements, with the singer questioning why her criticism of governance in Himachal Pradesh attracted such a strong reaction compared with her comments on indiscriminate mining in Odisha.