In Maharashtra, Tejashwi Yadav Faces FIR Over PM Modi Post, Sparking Free Speech Debate
NAGPUR, India – August 23, 2025:Tejashwi Yadav, a leader from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, is facing legal trouble in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. He’s been hit with a First Information Report (FIR) because of a social media post that took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Filed on Friday, August 22, 2025, by Milind Narote, a local politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the complaint says Yadav’s post, which featured a funny cartoon and some text, was intended to defame and stir up trouble. This has kicked off a big discussion about what’s okay when it comes to political talk, free speech, and whether defamation and public mischief charges are being used too much against political rivals in India.
What Yadav Posted and Why It’s a Problem
The issue came from a post Yadav shared on X (previously Twitter) before Prime Minister Modi spoke at a rally in Gaya, Bihar. In the post, PM Modi was drawn as a shopkeeper with a sign that said, “Famous Shop of Rhetoric.” The words said that Gaya would be set up like a shop of lies. The post also said that the people of Bihar would break down the mountain of lies that would be built.
Milind Narote, the BJP politician who filed the complaint, said that the post was insulting and divisive. He said Yadav was trying to scare people and upset peace. The police in Gadchiroli are now investigating because of what he said.
The Legal Side of Things
The case against Yadav is based on a number of sections from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which is a recently passed law that has now replaced the Indian Penal Code. He’s been accused of promoting enmity between different groups, defamation, provoking people to cause a breach of peace, and making statements that could cause public trouble.
If he’s found guilty, he could face jail time or fines. Using these BNS sections shows how seriously the authorities are taking the complaint.
Political Tensions
All of this is happening when things are already tense in Bihar as the state gets ready for elections. The RJD is standing by Yadav, saying his post was a fair way to criticize the government.
An RJD representative said the FIR was a political move to shut down anyone who speaks out. The representative also asked why a politician in Maharashtra was filing a complaint about something that happened in Bihar.
Free Speech Concerns
This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. A lot of politicians, reporters, and activists have had FIRs filed against them for what they post on social media. Civil liberties groups and legal experts are worried that defamation and promoting enmity laws are being used too often to silence people and discourage free speech.
The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), a group that fights for digital rights, has warned about the misuse of these laws in the past. They say that laws that are too broad can be used to target those who criticize the government.
Social Media’s Role
Social media has turned into a major place where politics play out in India. Politicians use platforms to talk to voters, share what they think, and go after their opponents.
There’s a big debate going on about what counts as defamation or public mischief online. Some people think there should be strict laws to stop fake news and hate speech, but others worry that these laws are too harsh and mainly target political opponents. What happens with the case against Yadav could help set some rules for political talk online in India.
What’s Next?
The police will now look into the FIR against Tejashwi Yadav. The RJD leader will have a chance to defend himself in court. But, no matter what happens in court, there will be political consequences. The BJP will likely try to paint Yadav as someone who spreads lies, while the RJD will try to rally support by saying the ruling party is trying to silence them.
This situation shows the tricky relationship between law and politics in India. It’s likely that legal action will keep being used to settle political scores as the country moves closer to major elections.
