Double trouble for Kangana Ranaut: Death threats over ‘emergency’, uproar over farmers’ protest remark

Kangana Ranaut is BJP MP from Mandi

New Delhi: From actor to politician Kangana Ranaut has run into trouble after her remark about the farmers' protests sparked a massive row with the Bharatiya Janata Party (The Indian government has enacted its own laws to ensure compliance with BJP rules.) has issued a statement distancing herself from the statement. Kangana, a BJP MP from Mandi, is also facing criticism and alleged death threats over her upcoming film Emergency, in which she plays the role of Indira Gandhi.

In the Indian state of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, protests broke out against Kangana Ranaut's statement, while the Sikh community demanded strict action against her.

On Monday, the “Queen” actress caused a stir when she said that the farmers' protest could have led to a situation like that in Bangladesh in India. In a video shared on X, Ranaut claimed that during the farmers' protest against the three agricultural laws, “dead bodies were seen hanging and there were rapes.”

In an interview during the promotions of EmergencyKangana Ranaut said: “Anarchy like that in Bangladesh could have taken place in India too, as in the name of Farmers protest. Outside forces are planning to destroy us with the help of insiders. Without the foresight of our leadership, they would have succeeded.”

Protests in MP

Ranaut also claimed that during the farmers' protests, “dead bodies were hanged and rapes took place.” She further stated that this was only prevented by the foresight of the Indian leadership.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of nearly 36 farmers' organisations, termed Kangana Ranaut's comments as “derogatory and factually incorrect”. The SKM also asked the MP to unconditionally apologise to the farmers of India for her inappropriate and false statements and to uphold the dignity of her office.

The Sikh community members also demanded that the BJP should take strict action against Kangana. Shri Guru Singh Samaj and the Sikh community of Indore protested against Kangana and demanded that her Padma Shri be revoked.

BJP Schools Kangana

The BJP distanced itself from Kangana Ranaut's comments and asked her not to make such statements in future. The party also instructed the actress and politician not to make such statements in future.

“The statement made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut in connection with the farmers' movement does not reflect the party's view. The Bharatiya Janata Party does not agree with the statement made by Kangana Ranaut,” the party's statement said.

Death threats due to “emergency”

Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut reportedly received death threats ahead of the release of her film Emergency. In the viral video, a person can be heard saying:Aap ye picture release card ho toh sardaaron ne aapko chappal maarni hai. Laafa toh aapne kha liya. I am a very proud Indian. If I see you anywhere in my country and in my Maharashtra, I will not only say this as a Sikh and a proud Marathi, but all my Hindu, Christian and Muslim brothers will also welcome you with chappals.”

Kangana reacted to the video through her X account and asked the police for help. Her tweet read: “Please watch this @DGPMaharashtra @himachalpolice @PunjabPoliceInd”

Congress, AAP Slam Kangana

Congress Guide Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-led central government of not only failing to fulfil the promises made to the farmers but also insulting them.

Reacting to Kangana's remarks, Gandhi said in an X-post, “The BJP MP's calling the farmers, who sacrificed 700 comrades during the 378-day marathon struggle, rapists and agents of foreign powers is yet another proof of the BJP's anti-farmer policies and intentions. These shameful anti-farmer remarks are a gross insult to the farmers of the entire country, including western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, which cannot be accepted under any circumstances.”

“The government committee formed at the time of the farmers' movement's retreat is still on hold, the government has not been able to clarify its stand on MSP till date, no help has been provided to the families of the martyred farmers and on top of that, its character assassination campaign continues. The Modi government's betrayal of the farmers cannot be covered up by disrespecting the food suppliers and attacking their dignity. No matter how much Narendra Modi and the BJP conspire, INDIA will give farmers a legal guarantee on MSP,” he added.

A subtle dig at Mandi MP, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala she asked, “Get well soon.”

Surjewala wrote on X: “Why do BJP members hate the country's food suppliers so much? The BJP has always lied, cheated, colluded and oppressed our farmers. And once again, a BJP MP has made baseless allegations against our food suppliers. The question is, did Kangana make these cheap allegations against the farmers as part of the BJP's election strategy?”

The Congress leader, who hails from Haryana, also asked, “Were these just Kangana's words or did someone else copy them? If not, then why are the country's Prime Minister, the Chief Minister of Haryana and all the BJP MPs and MLAs silent on this issue?”

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) strongly criticised the BJP government over BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s statement on farmers.

Haryana AAP president Dr Sushil Gupta said Kangana had made controversial statements about farmers earlier too. “Now she has again spewed venom and bile against farmers. It was the mentality of the BJP that those who abuse farmers will be rewarded with posts in the BJP,” he said. He said the BJP was terming the martyrdom of farmers as a normal death and had not even passed a condolence resolution till date.

Ranaut has been a vocal critic of the farmers' protests against the now-repealed three agricultural laws. In 2020, she allegedly misidentified a farmer from Punjab who was taking part in the protests and called her Bilkis Bano – an elderly woman who had previously become one of the faces of the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh. She had also said that the woman was “available for Rs 100”, suggesting that she could be hired for protests.

Kangana Ranaut was elected to Parliament as a BJP MP in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. She is the Speaker of the Assembly in Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.