A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against Janata Dal (United) leader and former party president Lalan Singh after a video surfaced on social media allegedly showing him making controversial remarks about poor voters during a public event in Bihar.
The viral clip, which has triggered widespread outrage, purportedly captures Singh saying that the poor should not be allowed to vote, a statement critics have described as “undemocratic and deeply offensive.”
Following the public backlash, opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, demanded strong legal and political action, accusing the JDU of harboring leaders who “disrespect the foundation of democracy.”
“Such comments are a direct attack on the constitutional right to vote. This is not just irresponsible it is dangerous,” said Tejashwi Yadav, RJD leader and former deputy chief minister of Bihar.
Police officials in Patna confirmed that a complaint was registered under sections relating to promoting enmity and undermining public faith in democratic institutions. The case is being investigated by the cybercrime unit to verify the authenticity and context of the viral video.
In response, Lalan Singh has denied the allegations, claiming his remarks were “selectively edited and taken out of context” to malign his reputation.
“I have spent my entire life fighting for the rights of the marginalized. The clip circulating online is a distortion meant to defame me,” Singh said in a statement.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also taken note of the controversy and may seek a report from state authorities if the video is confirmed to be genuine.
Political analysts say the incident could have far-reaching implications for the JDU as Bihar prepares for upcoming elections, where issues of class and caste equity remain central to voter sentiment.
