New Delhi: Facing massive backlash over her controversial remarks on the farmers’ protest, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut was summoned by party chief JP Nadda at his residence in Delhi on Thursday morning. Ranaut was at Nadda’s residence for nearly 30 minutes after which the BJP chief left for a key meeting to finalise the name of candidates for Haryana Assembly elections, reports said.
Why Kangana Ranaut facing ire
Ranaut, who represents the Madi Lok Sabha constituency in Himachal Pradesh, recently found herself embroiled in a controversy after making comments against the 2020-21 farmers’ protests. The actor-turned-politician had said that the farmers’ protests could have led to a Bangladesh-like situation in the country if the top leadership was not strong enough.
In a video shared by the 38-year-old 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MP on X, she alleged that “bodies were hanging and rapes were taking place” during the farmers’ protest against the now-repealed three farm laws.
Kangana snubbed by BJP
The BJP distanced itself from her remarks and said she has been directed to not make such remarks in future. The party also said that she was neither permitted nor authorised to make statements on the party’s policy issue. “The statement made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut 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 Bharatiya Janata Party, Kangana Ranaut has been directed not to make any such statements in future. 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.
Earlier, BJP leaders in Haryana and Punjab also advised her to avoid making provocative comments. “It is not Kangana’s department to speak on farmers, Kangana’s statement is personal. PM Modi and the BJP are farmer-friendly. The Opposition parties are working against us and Kangana’s statement is doing the same. She should not make such statements, on sensitive or religious issues, religious organisations,” Punjab BJP leader Harjit Grewal said.