In the aftermath of the recent Bihar Assembly elections held in 2025, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a key opposition party in the state, has taken a firm stand against a group of Bhojpuri singers whose election period songs it considers defamatory and offensive. The RJD, which faced a significant setback in the polls, has issued legal notices to 32 singers who released songs that allegedly maligned the party and its leadership, including prominent figures such as Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
The controversy stems from a series of Bhojpuri and regional dialect songs that went viral on social media platforms during the election campaign. These songs, composed independently and without the party’s consent, were perceived by the RJD as attempts to defame the party and undermine its image among voters, particularly the youth. Some of these songs were noted for their provocative and offensive content, which included derogatory references to the party leadership and caste-based assertions that were deemed inappropriate and harmful to the party’s reputation.
An RJD spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the decision to issue notices to the singers was taken during a party review meeting convened in the wake of the unexpected election defeat. The party’s leadership expressed concerns that these songs were not merely artistic expressions but were strategically used by certain groups to tarnish the party’s image during a crucial electoral period. The spokesperson also indicated that some of the singers hailed from outside Bihar, further complicating the situation.
The RJD’s electoral performance in the 243-member Bihar Assembly was disappointing by their standards. Contesting 143 seats as part of the Mahagathbandhan or grand alliance, the party managed to secure only 25 seats. Despite this poor seat count, the party retained a substantial vote share of 23%, suggesting a disconnect between votes received and seats won. Party insiders believe that the negative impact of the controversial songs contributed to this outcome by influencing voter perceptions.
Among the contentious songs cited by the RJD were lyrics that explicitly mentioned party leaders and caste identities in a manner that the party found objectionable. Examples include lines such as "marab sixer ke 6 goli kapar mien…chhati me, power hola khali Ahir jaati main" (which roughly translates to “I will shoot six bullets in the head… this power belongs only to the Ahir caste”), and others that suggested an intimidating or lawless image if the RJD were to come to power. Such lyrics were interpreted by party officials as promoting caste supremacy and encouraging a culture of fear and violence, damaging the party’s public image.
Mrityunjay Tiwari, an RJD spokesperson, emphasized that these songs were unauthorized and ridiculed the notion that they reflected the true ethos of the party. He pointed out that the viral nature of these songs captured the attention of young voters but unfortunately did so by projecting a distorted and negative portrayal of the RJD’s leadership and policies. This portrayal, the party argues, was exploited by political opponents to undermine their electoral prospects.
The RJD has asked the singers to provide proof that they had permission to use the party’s name or leaders’ names in their compositions. Those who fail to do so face potential legal action, including defamation suits. Some of the singers have already received such notices, signaling the party’s intent to pursue this matter through the courts if necessary. The party’s legal approach is indicative of a broader attempt to regain control over its narrative and protect its image from unauthorized and damaging representations.
One particular song that drew criticism reportedly portrayed Kheshari Lal Yadav, the RJD candidate from Chhapra in Saran district, in a casteist light, implying Yadav caste supremacy. This further amplified concerns about the caste-based divisiveness that the songs seemed to propagate. The party’s leadership fears that such portrayals not only alienate sections of the electorate but also reinforce negative stereotypes about the party’s social base and political intentions.
The political context of these developments is critical to understanding their impact. During the election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Bhabhua, Kaimur district on November 7, 2025, referenced some of these Bhojpuri songs. He used them as examples of the kind of “jungle raj” — or lawlessness — that he warned would return if the RJD-led alliance came to power in Bihar. The