Expressing disagreement with MP Kangana Ranaut’s remarks on the farmers’ protests, the BJP on Monday said the Lok Sabha MP from Mandi had been directed to not make such statements in the future. This came after Ranaut stoked a controversy by suggesting that the farmers' protests could have led to a Bangladesh-like situation in the country if the top leadership was not strong enough.
The BJP MP from Mandi recently alleged that “rapes, murders” were committed during the farm struggle, but farmers continued to stage protests. In a video shared by the Mandi MP on X, she alleged that “bodies were hanging and rapes were taking place” during the farmers' protest against the now-repealed three farm laws.
“The statement made by the BJP MP in the context of the farmers' movement is not the opinion of the party. The Bharatiya Janata Party expresses its disagreement with the statement made by Kangana Ranaut,” the BJP said in a statement.
On behalf of the BJP, Ranaut is neither permitted nor authorised to make statements on the party's policy issues, it said. “On behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Ranaut has been directed not to make any such statements in future,” the statement said.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party is committed to follow the principles of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas' and social harmony,” it added.
Ranaut's comments come at an awkward time for the BJP, with assembly elections in Haryana just weeks away. Party insiders maintained Ranaut’s statement might serve as a fresh trigger for farmers’ outrage against the party and adversely impact its prospects in certain farmer-centric areas.During the recently held Lok Sabha elections, BJP candidates faced a stiff opposition from farmers while campaigning in the state. A BJP leader said at present, there was no resentment among farmers against the party, but Ranaut’s statement could create trouble for the candidates as campaigning progressed.
Farmer organisations have expressed anger over the way Ranaut has again raked up issues pertaining to farm protests, calling her a “habitual offender” and have asked the Punjab government and the Centre to investigate at whose instance Ranaut is “spitting venom” against the protesters. Farmers also see a “conspiracy” to create trouble to get support for her upcoming film.
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala has also posted on X wishing the BJP MP to "Get well soon Kangana!". He asked, “Why do BJP people hate the country's food providers so much?, “ Were these just Kangana's words or did someone else copy them?” After all, why do BJP people hate the country's food providers so much? BJP has always lied, deceived, conspired and oppressed our farmers. And once again a BJP MP has made baseless allegations against our food providers. The question is that..Has Kangana made this cheap allegation on the farmer as per BJP's election strategy? Were these just Kangana's words or did someone else copy them?If not, then why are the Prime Minister of the country, the Chief Minister of Haryana and all the BJP MPs and MLAs silent on this issue?" Surjewala said in a post.
The All India Kisan Sabha on Monday condemned BJP Lok Sabha MP and actor Kangana Ranaut for suggesting that the farmers' protests against the now-repealed three farm laws could have led to a Bangladesh-like situation in the country if the top leadership was not strong enough. AIKS president Dr Ashok Dhawale said Ranaut's remarks were highly condemnable, adding these were made by the actor-turned-politician to please her "external and internal bosses who want to devour agriculture". The "kisan struggle" against the three farms laws, which would have compromised the sovereignty and food security of the country, amid harsh weather, COVID pandemic and "state violence" had 736 martyrs, the AIKS statement claimed.
Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher said she (Kangana) is a “habitual offender”. Now it is a matter of investigation as to whether she is reading the script provided from Nagpur [the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters] or there is another angle to her outbursts.
In June 2024, a CISF woman constable allegedly slapped the actress inside Chandigarh airport for her derogatory comments on This is not the first time Ranaut has faced backlash for her comments on farmers. In 2020, in the midst of the anti-farm laws protest, she stoked a huge row after misidentifying a woman farmer from Punjab and making derogatory remarks about her. Shortly after being elected to Parliament, Ranaut was also involved in an altercation with a CISF personnel at Chandigarh airport, who allegedly slapped her over her anti-farmer comments.
