Munish Sood
MANDI: Kangana Ranaut, Bollywood actress and BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, is once again under legal scrutiny as a court of Agra (Uttar Pradesh) has reopened a sedition case against her.
The case, initially dismissed by the MP-MLA court in May, was revived following a revision petition filed by advocate Ramashankar Sharma, president of Agra’s Rajiv Gandhi Bar Association. The court has now issued fresh notices to Ranaut, with the next hearing scheduled for June 30.
Background of the case
The controversy stems from Kangana Ranaut’s statements during the 2020-21 farmers’ protests. She allegedly described the protesting farmers as “murderers, rapists and extremists”, and compared the movement to the Khalistani separatist movement.
Additionally, she mocked Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent principles, suggesting that India’s true Independence came in 2014, not 1947. These remarks led to widespread criticism and multiple legal challenges.
Other legal challenges
Kangana Ranaut’s comments have sparked legal actions across various states:
• Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh: A court summoned Kangana Ranaut over her remarks, following a complaint by Gajendra Sharma of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kisan Shakti), who accused her of making indecent comments targeting farmers and women.
• Tumakuru, Karnataka: A district court directed police to register an FIR against Kangana Ranaut for a tweet comparing protesting farmers to terrorists.
• Mumbai, Maharashtra: The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee filed a complaint against Kangana Ranaut for allegedly portraying the farmers’ protest as a Khalistani movement and making derogatory remarks against the Sikh community.
Political repercussions
Kangana Ranaut’s statements have not only led to legal troubles but also political backlash. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which she represents as an MP, had distanced itself from her remarks. The party issued a statement emphasising that her views do not reflect the party’s stance and advised her to refrain from making such statements in the future.
Amidst these controversies, Kangana Ranaut is set to make her Hollywood debut in the horror-drama “Blessed Be the Evil”, directed by Anurag Rudra and co-starring Tyler Posey and Scarlet Rose Stallone. The filming is scheduled to begin in New York this summer. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a museum in her hometown of Mandi, celebrating her journey from a small-town girl to a national award-winning actress and political figure.
