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Kangana Ranaut, a prominent Bollywood actress and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament, has once again ignited a political firestorm with her controversial social media posts. This time, her target was Mahatma Gandhi, the revered Father of the Nation, and her remarks have drawn widespread criticism from politicians across the political spectrum.
In a series of Instagram stories, Ranaut declared, "Desh ke pita nahi, desh ke to lal hote hai. Dhanye hai Bharat ma ke ye lal ('The country does not have fathers; it has sons. Blessed are these sons of Mother India)." She went on to praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi for carrying forward Gandhi's legacy of cleanliness in India. These statements, made on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 155th birth anniversary, have been widely perceived as disrespectful and insensitive.
The backlash against Ranaut's remarks was swift and severe. Manoranjan Kalia, a senior leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), condemned her comments, calling them a habit of making controversial statements. He further suggested that politics was not her field and that she should exercise caution in her public pronouncements. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate was equally scathing in her criticism, labeling Ranaut's statement as a "lewd jibe" and questioning whether Prime Minister Modi would condone such disrespect towards the Father of the Nation. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of both Gandhi and Shastri, and the need to show them due respect.
Ranaut's latest controversy comes on the heels of her earlier comments regarding the farmers' protest, where she had advocated for the return of the three farm laws and made inflammatory statements about the protests. This ongoing pattern of making controversial remarks has led to questions about her judgment and the impact her statements might have on public discourse and political harmony.
While some may argue that Ranaut's comments are simply a reflection of her personal beliefs, it is undeniable that her position as an elected representative and her significant social media following carry a certain weight. Her words have the potential to influence public opinion and shape the political landscape, making it essential for her to exercise responsibility and sensitivity in her public pronouncements. The current controversy highlights the delicate balance between freedom of speech and the need for respectful and responsible communication, especially in the context of sensitive historical figures and national heroes.
Source: Kangana Ranaut’s new remarks on Mahatma Gandhi sparks row, ‘Dhanye hai, desh ke yeh laal...’