Over 3.8 lakh followers on Instagram, but no mourners at influencer Bhabhi’s funeral

Controversial social media influencer Kamal Kaur Bhabhi had a significant following on social media. But even with over 3.8 lakh followers, she was cremated in the presence of only three family members, besides government personnel and activists of Sahara Jan Sewa, hundreds of miles away from her home at Lachhman Colony here.

Her social media posts that mushroomed exponentially during these two days, invited the ire of activists of radical Sikh organisations, including Nihangs.

Even those who watched and appreciated her non-traditional posts during her lifetime are now among those who criticise her for posing as a ‘Kaur’ instead of her original name — Kanchan Kumari.

Amritpal Singh Mehron, identified as a key conspirator in her murder, has called upon Punjabis, irrespective of their religious allegiance, to keep in mind the sacrifice of Sikh Gurus for saving the integrity of Punjab.

“Our Gurus have given us the surnames of ‘Singh’ and ‘Kaur’ and we cannot allow women migrating from UP and Bihar to suffix the title of Kaur,” said Mehron in a video that has gone viral.

Analysing responses to social media posts about Bhabi’s murder and her previous content reveals that the moral policing by the suspects was perceived as a form of social reform. Additionally, nearly all YouTube channels have capitalised on videos related to Bhabhi and the moral policing by Sikh radicals harnessing higher digital advantage.

Essentially a non-Punjabi, Kamal Kaur Bhabhi had become popular as a Punjabi social media influencer among subscribers over three years ago. Bhabi was known for sharing reels, including controversial double meaning videos that often went viral. She had recently faced online criticism from a gangster for allegedly using objectionable language and gestures.