A contentious social media message by Congress member Supriya Shrinate regarding actress Kangana Ranaut’s entry into politics has ignited a new round of debate.
The National Commission for Women has called for repercussions against the Congress member. Despite Supriya’s explanation that the post, which has been deleted from Instagram, originated from a parody account, she has nevertheless offered an apology.
Kangana Ranaut is running as a candidate for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Mandi, her native constituency in Himachal Pradesh.
Kangana Ranaut, the acclaimed Bollywood actress turned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politician, has been embroiled in numerous political controversies over recent years.
Ranaut’s actions have frequently sparked debates and criticisms, from contentious statements to social media clashes. Here’s a recap of some of the key controversies involving the Queen actor:
Allegations of Insulting Freedom Fighters:
In November 2021, Ranaut stirred a major controversy by suggesting that India attained real freedom only in 2014 when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. She compared India’s independence in 1947 to “bheek” or “alms,” drawing sharp criticism for allegedly disrespecting the sacrifices of freedom fighters.
Her remark sparked widespread criticism for its perceived disrespect towards freedom fighters. Among those who reacted was Varun Gandhi, a Member of Parliament from the BJP, who questioned whether the remark should be labelled as ‘madness’ or ‘treason’.
FIR for Hate Speech in West Bengal:
In May of the same year, an FIR was filed against Ranaut for allegedly spreading hate propaganda and inciting communal violence in West Bengal. Her comments, which targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, led to her Twitter account suspension. The police action came amidst post-poll violence in the state.
Mumbai-Pakistan Occupied Kashmir Comparison:
In 2020, Ranaut ignited a firestorm by comparing Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) amid a verbal spat with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut. This led to a political tussle involving the Maharashtra government, including a notice for illegal construction issued by Mumbai’s municipality to Ranaut’s production house.
Insulting Remarks Against Urmila Matondkar:
During a TV interview in 2020, Ranaut referred to actress-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar as a “soft porn star,” triggering outrage. This derogatory remark came amidst political tensions, questioning Matondkar’s credentials as a political candidate.
Anti-Farmer Comments During Protests:
During the Farmers’ Protest in 2020-21, Ranaut faced backlash for labelling farmers as “terrorists” and making contentious remarks on social media platforms. Her tweets led to legal action, including FIRs and content removal by Twitter for violating hate speech policies.
These controversies have not only sparked debates but also raised questions about Ranaut’s role as a public figure and political commentator. Despite criticism, Ranaut remains an outspoken figure in Indian politics, often aligning herself with the ruling BJP and drawing attention to her controversial statements.
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