BJP MP Kangana Ranaut (Photo: PTI)
Actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut has found herself at the center of a new controversy following a social media post about Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their shared birthday on October 2. The controversy erupted on Wednesday when Ranaut, while of Shastri’s 120th birth anniversary, appeared to belittle Mahatma Gandhi’s dignity as the Father of the Nation.
In an Instagram story, Ranaut wrote, “Desh ke pita nahi, desh ke to lal hote hai. Dhanye hai Bharat ma ke ye lal” (The country has no fathers; it has sons. Blessed are these sons of Mother India). His comments, which appeared to belittle Gandhi’s role, sparked outrage, among BJP and opposition leaders.
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In a subsequent post, he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continuing Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of cleanliness, but the damage had already been done. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate was quick to criticize the actor, accusing him of disrespecting Gandhi and creating an unnecessary rift between him and Shastri.
Congress calls Ranaut a ‘worshiper of God’
Shrinate, a prominent Congress spokesperson, criticized Ranaut’s comments, saying, “BJP member Kangana has done this heinous act on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday. Godse worshipers are making a difference between Bapu and Shastri ji. Will Narendra Modi wholeheartedly forgive the devotee to Godse of his group? There are Fathers of the nation, there are also martyrs. Everyone deserves respect.”
BJP is distancing itself from Ranaut
Ranaut’s recent comments have also drawn criticism from her team. A senior BJP leader from Punjab, Manoranjan Kalia, publicly criticized the actor, saying that his remarks were causing trouble in the party.
“In his short political career, he has developed a habit of making controversial speeches. Politics is not his field. Politics is a serious matter. A person must think before he speaks… His controversial words are causing problems in the group,” said Kalia in a video posted on social media.
This is not Ranaut’s first brush with controversy. Earlier this year, he sparked controversy with his support for reinstating three farm bills that were repealed in 2021. His comments on farmers’ protests, which he said were creating a “Bangladesh-like situation in India,” sparked outrage. He also pointed out that dead bodies were being hanged and rapes were taking place at the protest sites, allegations that are widely criticized as inciting unrest.
In August, the BJP had already distanced itself from Ranaut’s comments on the farmers’ movement, clarifying that his comments did not reflect the party’s position. The BJP’s Central Information Department issued a statement insisting that Ranaut is not authorized and is not allowed to speak about the party’s policies.
Ranuat’s film Emergency has been shelved
Ranaut, who moved from acting to politics earlier this year after being elected as a Member of Parliament, has been a lightning rod. His upcoming film Emergency, based on the life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, faced many hurdles before its release. The film’s first release date of September 6 has been pushed back following disputes with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which revoked its certification after several complaints.
The film, produced by Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films, has sparked outrage among the Sikh community. In the trailer, slain Sikh activist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale is shown alongside Indira Gandhi, the figure that sparked protests. The Delhi wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has sent a legal notice to the CBFC, urging that the film’s release be stopped. SAD and other Sikh organizations accused the film of distorting historical facts and misrepresenting the Sikh community.
Several Sikh organizations from Punjab, Telangana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh have called for the film to be banned, expressing concern that it promotes hatred and misrepresents their community. This marks yet another controversy for Ranaut, whose political and artistic career has been marked by divisive rhetoric and controversial public statements.
[With agency inputs]
First published: October 03 2024 | 11:25 AM IST