Amritpal Singh Mehron (Left) and Kamal Kaur (Right). Photo Credit: Google
In an age where social media allows individuals to express themselves beyond boundaries, the brutal murder of Kamal Kaur Bhabhi – real name Kanchan Kumar, has struck a raw nerve. She was a popular Punjabi Instagram content creator whose videos, though labelled ‘bold’ by some, were embraced by thousands for their humour, confidence, and unapologetic flair. Her death is not just a tragic crime, it is an indictment of the rising tide of moral vigilantism that now threatens to silence creative expression, especially of women, in India.
What makes Kamal’s murder particularly chilling is not just the act itself but the disturbing reaction that followed. Nihang preacher Amritpal Singh Mehron openly claimed responsibility, accusing her of defaming Sikhism and corrupting society’s youth. The justification of her murder was not a fringe opinion – it was echoed by the granthi of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikh religion, who said, “This happens to those who defame our religion. Nothing wrong happened.” These words sent shockwaves across the nation and sparked intense debate about religion, freedom of expression, and the state’s role in maintaining order in a digital-first society.
Kamal’s story is not an isolated case. Her murder comes at a time when creators, especially women, face increasing threats for their content. As long as the content challenges traditional gender roles, or dares to showcase female agency, backlash is swift and often violent. Kamal had received repeated threats and had even deleted some of her content. But in a free country, should the penalty for self-expression be death?
In the aftermath of her murder, over 100 Instagram accounts that glorified her killer or celebrated the murder were taken down by Punjab’s cybercrime cell. While this step was necessary, it was unfortunately reactive. The delay between the threats, the crime, and enforcement points to a broader structural failure. Social media platforms too must shoulder part of the responsibility. While they are quick to flag harmless memes, they have often failed to crack down on hate speech, religious extremism, and open threats of violence until public pressure mounts.
The gendered nature of this incident cannot be ignored. Kamal Kaur Bhabhi’s use of the surname “Kaur” became a particular flashpoint. The demand that she drop the name because it “dishonoured Sikh identity” is rooted in patriarchal policing of not just her content but her identity. Ironically, the same society that consumed and made her content viral turned against her when she refused to conform. This is a pattern that is being repeated across India, where women creators are increasingly forced to navigate a digital landscape that is both enabling and dangerous.
What also stands out is the silence of the influencer community in Punjab after the murder. Several creators have gone underground, deactivated their accounts, or chosen to remain silent, fearing similar reprisals. This collective withdrawal from the digital space points to the success of the terror strategy employed by the fringe groups. When creators are silenced not by law but by fear, the very essence of free speech collapses.
There is an urgent need to address this growing culture of digital vigilantism. The state must move beyond mere statements and arrests. Laws must be strengthened to criminalise calls for violence in the name of religion, morality, or honour. Police cyber cells should work proactively, monitoring content and intervening before threats turn into fatal actions. At the same time, religious leaders and institutions must reflect on the impact of their words. When authority figures justify murder, they embolden others and erode the line between justice and fanaticism.
Kamal Kaur Bhabhi’s death is a stark reminder of the fine line creators must walk today. Her name will now forever be linked not just with the laughter she spread online but with the grave danger that can come from standing out. Her murder should not fade from memory as just another “viral” news story. It must serve as a wake-up call to protect the freedom of expression, ensure safety for digital creators, and uphold the rule of law in both offline and online spaces.
If Punjab, and indeed India, does not confront this wave of religiously-justified moral policing now, it risks sliding into a dark age of fear, censorship, and extremist control. Kamal’s story deserves justice – not just in the courts, but in the collective conscience of a country that claims to be both democratic and free.
