Patna: Jyoti Singh, the wife of Bhojpuri actor and politician Pawan Singh, met political strategist and Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor in Patna on Friday, saying she was being subjected to “grave injustice” in her marriage.
The meeting, which lasted around 20 minutes behind closed doors at the Jan Suraaj office, came amid a bitter and highly public dispute between the couple. Speaking afterwards, Jyoti Singh told reporters: “I have not come here to contest elections or seek a ticket. The injustice that has been done to me should not happen to any other woman. I want to be the voice of women facing such injustice.”
Kishor said Jan Suraaj would extend support on matters of security but stressed that the organisation would not intervene in family disputes. “Jyoti Singh has come here as a woman from Bihar. She told us she feels wronged and wants to ensure such things do not happen to other women,” he said. “This is her family matter, and Pawan Singh is also my friend, so I will not comment further. But if any woman in Bihar believes speaking to us can help, we are ready to listen.”
Kishor also clarified that there was no question of Jyoti Singh being fielded as an election candidate. “Our candidate for Arrah has already been announced. Dr Vijay Gupta will contest from there, and the rules will not change for any individual,” he said.
Jyoti’s appeals for support
In recent months, Jyoti Singh has appealed for help from several leaders, including Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and prime minister Narendra Modi. She has also sought backing from BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other influential figures from her Kshatriya community.
Brij Bhushan responded by saying the matter was sub judice. “When the case is pending in court – one in Ballia and one in Bihar – what can anyone else do? Whatever the court decides will be final,” he said.
Despite the conflict, Jyoti recently posted a Karwa Chauth greeting on Facebook naming Pawan Singh, signalling her continued wish for reconciliation.
Dispute spills into public view
The couple’s marital discord intensified on October 5 when Jyoti visited Singh at his Lucknow flat. After an hour-and-a-half meeting, the actor left while Jyoti remained behind. Police were called to the residence, and Jyoti posted a video in tears, alleging she had been harassed and threatened with eviction.
In subsequent statements, she accused Singh of infidelity during the Lok Sabha election campaign and said she was being “detained and tortured” when attempting to stay at his home. “If he cannot do justice to his own wife, how will he do justice to society?” she asked.
Pawan Singh denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated. In a social media post, he wrote: “Would I hurt the feelings of the public, who have helped me reach this position? The truth is the police were already present at my house to ensure nothing untoward happened. No one was called against her.”
At a later press conference, Singh suggested the timing of the dispute was linked to political ambitions. “Any family conversation should happen in the room, not on camera. Why did this drama surface just before elections?” he said.
A marriage marked by disputes
Jyoti Singh is Pawan Singh’s second wife. His first wife, Neelam Singh, died by suicide in 2015, a year after their wedding. He married Jyoti in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, in March 2018, but their relationship soon deteriorated. Jyoti has accused him of coercing her into an abortion and making threats to her life.
Singh filed for divorce in 2021 at the Arrah Family Court, where the case remains pending. During his independent run in the 2024 general election from Karakat, Jyoti campaigned by his side, sparking speculation of reconciliation. But since the results, reports of renewed conflict have surfaced, with Jyoti repeatedly appealing for justice and for their marriage to remain intact.
