Posted on August 23, 2025
On August 23, 2025, the Gadchiroli Police in Maharashtra registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. The complaint was made by Gadchiroli BJP MLA Milind Ramji Narote, who alleged that Yadav posted an “objectionable” and defamatory message aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Alleged Post & Content
The FIR concerns a Hindi-language post by Tejashwi Yadav dated August 22, 2025, just prior to Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Gaya, Bihar. In the post, Yadav condemned PM’s speech as a “shop of lies and rhetoric,” asserting:
“Today, in Gaya, a shop of falsehoods and deception will open! PM ji, you are going to build a mountain of untruths and deception with your boneless tongue in Gaya today, but honest citizens of Bihar, like Dashrath Manjhi, will demolish those big tall mountains of lies and deception. Can you account for your 11 year term and the NDA government’s 20 year term?”
In some media reports, Yadav also mocked PM Modi using a cartoon that portrayed the prime minister as a shopkeeper, with a sign that read “shop of rhetoric.”
Legal Grounds Cited in the FIR
The alleged post is being considered defamatory, derogatory and potentially socially divisive in nature. The FIR cites many sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including the following:
Section 196 (1)(a) & (1)(b) – Usage of words or electronic communication promoting hatred or ill-will between groups, and acts prejudicial to public harmony
Section 356 (2) & (3) – Statements considered derogatory or defamatory against the government, intended to cause public mischief or repeated such acts
Section 352 – Intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace
Section 353 (2) – Publishing statements that tend to create disharmony or feelings of enmity, including via social media
Complaint Details & Reaction
referred to PM Modi as a “liar” and also had repeated comments about how he had not kept his promises. Narote’s complaint claimed that this type of propaganda could incite feelings of animosity among the residents of Gadchiroli and disturb social harmony. He provided screenshots as prima facie evidence for the FIR.
Tejashwi Yadav, in response to the Modi and NDA government’s agenda, has frequently condemned the Prime Minister and the BJP party while utilizing social media to challenge them because of their sweeping powers. Thus far, we have been unable to capture public confirmation from Yadav or RJD in this regard in our review of this FIR. As a result, this FIR adds a level of legal complexity to his continued political opposition.
Legal & Political Significance
This FIR represents yet another example of increasing friction between leaders in the ruling party and opposition party, especially with respect to rhetoric circulated on social media. With writing relating to public mischief and animosity, this could mean serious legal consequences if the Gadchiroli police decide to move forward.
Given that the Prime Minister was about to inaugurate many significant projects, such as redevelopment projects relating to the development of Bihar worth over ₹13,000 crore, and launch of the Amrit Bharat Express and the Buddhist Circuit Train, this episode illustrates the high stakes that exist in the political commentary during such occasions.