Actress and content creator Sahiba Bali has spoken out against the online abuse and threats she received after sharing an Instagram story during the Navratri celebrations. The post sparked a debate over women’s rights, religious symbolism and political issues, prompting Bali to share her experience and clarify her personal beliefs.
The controversy began after Bali reshared a post that questioned the contrast between the worship of Goddess Durga, who represents feminine strength, and the treatment of women participating in protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The incident has since drawn attention to the actress’s views and the reaction her social media activity received.
Sahiba Bali’s Navratri Post Sparks Controversy
The controversy started when Bali shared an Instagram story comparing the celebration of feminine power during Navratri with the reported police action against women involved in protests demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The protests, involving the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ (CJP) and other groups, were linked to allegations of irregularities in voter list revisions. The post questioned why women are celebrated as symbols of strength in religious traditions while their participation in real-world activism can attract opposition.
Following the post, Bali faced a wave of criticism on social media. The issue quickly became a subject of discussion, with reactions extending beyond the original message to her political views.
Actress Shares Details of Online Abuse and Threats
Bali subsequently shared screenshots of abusive comments and direct messages she had received, highlighting the nature of the online harassment.
Expressing her frustration over the situation, she wrote, “I’m done, I lost.” She also described the consequences of speaking out about injustice, stating, “The cost of voicing injustice is danger to livelihood & safety.”
Bali indicated that the backlash had taken an emotional toll, adding that she faced criticism whether she chose to express her views or remain silent.
Her response brought further attention to the abuse she said she had experienced following the Instagram post.
Sahiba Bali Clarifies Her Political and Religious Beliefs
Amid the controversy, Bali addressed questions about her political affiliations and personal beliefs. She clarified that she does not support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while identifying former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as her favourite politician.
Speaking about the Congress party, she described it as a “weak Opposition” but acknowledged former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s contribution to India’s economy around 1991.
Bali also expressed respect for the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of India while stating that she does not support the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Although she had previously supported the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, she emphasised that her voting decisions would be based on her independent judgment.
She further stressed that Indian Muslims are an integral part of the country and are “as Indian as any other citizen.” Among her other stated views, Bali said that rapists deserve capital punishment and described the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ as a pressure group.
Discussing her personal religious practices, she revealed that she wears a rudraksh for protection and regularly visits a gurudwara to express gratitude.
Sahiba Bali’s Previous Social Media Controversy
This is not the first time Bali has faced criticism over her public statements. In April 2026, she came under scrutiny after earlier comments about Pakistan resurfaced and her criticism of The Kashmir Files attracted attention.
She had previously described the film as “propaganda” and called it a “bad” film.
The latest controversy has once again placed Bali’s social media activity and personal views at the centre of public discussion, following her decision to speak about the online abuse she says she received after sharing the Navratri post.