Mirzapur, Sep 24 (UNI) In a controversial case that sparked widespread outrage on social media, folk singer Saroj Sargam and her husband have been arrested for allegedly singing and uploading an objectionable Birha song targeting Hindu deity Goddess Durga.
The arrest was made yesterday following strong public protests and demands for action from Hindu organizations and social media users.
According to police sources, Saroj Sargam, a resident of the Madihan area in Mirzapur district, recently released a Birha folk song in which derogatory and offensive language was allegedly used in reference to Goddess Durga and demon Mahishasura.
The song, uploaded on YouTube, reportedly featured vulgar language in its lyrics and even in the thumbnail, which further fueled public anger.
The video quickly went viral, prompting thousands of users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and others to share the video and screenshots, tagging SSP Mirzapur and the UP Police, and demanding strict action.
The controversy led to significant backlash from Hindu groups and local communities, who accused the singer of deliberately hurting religious sentiments.
Responding to the growing unrest, Mirzapur SSP Somen Verma confirmed that Saroj Sargam and her husband were arrested from the Madihan police station area.
“During investigation, it was found that her husband was also involved in the production and uploading of the video, hence both have been taken into custody and sent to jail,” Verma said.
In a further development during the investigation, authorities also discovered that Saroj Sargam had illegally occupied 15 bighas of land belonging to the Forest Department.
The Revenue Department conducted a survey and evicted the encroachment.
Police officials confirmed that the land occupation was unauthorized and that appropriate legal action has been taken.
Folk Singer Saroj Sargam, Husband held for objectionable song on Goddess Durga
