Shimla: The first day of the monsoon session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly witnessed heated exchanges as Mandi BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s controversial remarks about farmers resonated through the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan led the charge, condemning the actress for allegedly insulting farmers and demanding a discussion on a censure motion against her.
“Kangana Ranaut has always been at the centre of controversies.
Her recent statement accusing participants of the farmer agitation of committing rapes and violence is deeply offensive. She has labelled the farmers of this country as murderers and rapists, which is unacceptable,” Chauhan stated. He also criticised her for insinuating that foreign powers like the US and China are destabilising India, questioning the strength of the central government’s foreign policy.
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The demand for a censure motion found support from Theog MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore, who noted that Kangana’s remarks had hurt the sentiments of farmers and orchardists. “About 700 farmers were killed during the protests and it is wrong to vilify them in this manner,” Rathore asserted. However, his statements provoked an uproar from opposition members, who began raising slogans in the House.
Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, in an attempt to quell the discord, pointed out that the BJP leadership had already distanced itself from Kangana’s comments. “There is no need for a vote on this matter as the party has clarified that her views do not reflect the party’s stance,” the Speaker declared.
Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur also intervened, arguing that it is not customary for the Assembly to debate the opinions of individuals who are not members of the House. “The party has already made it clear that this is not the party’s view but may be her personal opinion. With this clarification, there is no justification for bringing this issue to the Assembly floor,” remarked Thakur.
Kangana Ranaut’s remarks, made last week, have sparked protests from farmers across several states, prompting the BJP to issue a media statement distancing itself from her views. The issue has since escalated, culminating in today’s proceedings in the Himachal Vidhan Sabha.
