‘Right to praise PM, but not to criticize freedom movement’: Maharashtra BJP chief on Kangana Ranaut’s statement

Actress Kangana Ranaut is being criticized all over for her remark that India got independence in 1947 as “beggar”.  Leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other parties demanded action against him.  Even a complaint has been filed against the actress, while some people also burnt her effigies on the streets.  The demand for taking back Padma Shri from Ranaut is also increasing.

It is worth mentioning that Ranaut, who is in the news for her statements on politics or other subjects, had on Thursday created a controversy by saying that India got ‘real independence’ in 2014.  His indirect reference was to the coming to power of the BJP government under the leadership of Narendra Modi.  Along with this, Ranaut had termed the independence given to the country in the year 1947 as ‘begging’.  The actress made this controversial statement a day after she was given the Padma Shri award.

Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi on Friday called the actress an agent of hatred. He tweeted, “Padmashree Kangana Ranaut is an agent of hatred, intolerance and unrestrained enthusiasm. It is not surprising that they feel that India got independence in 2014. Hate, intolerance, ostentatious patriotism and repression got freedom in India in 2014.

“It is not surprising that such statements were made at an event in which the Prime Minister also attended. After all, today the PMO has become a fountain of hatred which flows abundantly in our country.

‘Padmashri Kangana Ranaut is a agent of hate, intolerance and rabidity. It is not surprising that she feels that India got its freedom in 2014. Hate, Intolerance, Sham Patriotism, intolerance and oppression were liberated in India in 2014

— Tushar GANDHI Manavta Meri Jaat. (@TusharG) November 12, 2021

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal criticized Ranaut on Friday. He tweeted, “The freedom of Bhagat Singh, Azad and Gandhi seems to be begging to them and enjoy the slavery of power, calling it real freedom. Has got the nation award for such thinking?” He also shared a video clip of Ranaut, in which he made these comments.