Kangana On Farm Laws: BJP rejects Kangana Ranaut's controversial farm laws comment; actress responds
Farm laws were rolled back by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in November 2021 after massive agitations.
PTC News Desk: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has distanced itself from the remarks made by its Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut regarding the controversial farm laws that were at the center of widespread farmer protests in 2020. Speaking to reporters in her Lok Sabha constituency of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, Ranaut expressed her belief that the laws, which were repealed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in November 2021 following significant agitation, "should be brought back" and encouraged farmers to demand their reinstatement.
In her statement, Ranaut acknowledged the potential for controversy, saying, "I know this will be controversial... but I feel the farm laws that were repealed should be brought back. The farmers themselves should demand it. They are a pillar of strength for the nation's development, and I want to appeal to them—demand the laws back for your own good."
In response to her comments, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia clarified that Ranaut's statements do not reflect the party's official position. He stated, "Kangana Ranaut is not authorised to make such a statement on behalf of the BJP, and it doesn't depict the BJP's view on the farm bills."
Ranaut reacted to Bhatia’s comments, asserting that her views on the farm laws are personal and do not represent the party's stance on the matter.
This is not the first time Ranaut has faced backlash for her statements related to the farm laws. Last month, the BJP reprimanded her for previous remarks suggesting that a "Bangladesh-like situation" could have arisen in India during the farmers' protests had the central government not intervened decisively.
Ranaut has a controversial history with the farmers' protests; in 2020, she incorrectly identified a woman farmer from Punjab, calling her Bilkis Bano, which drew criticism. This incident resurfaced in June when Ranaut was involved in a confrontation with a woman CISF officer.
The controversy surrounding Ranaut's latest comments has also drawn ire from opposition parties. Both Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticised her statements, with Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate asserting, "These black laws will never be brought back... no matter how hard Modi and his MPs try." She highlighted that over 750 farmers lost their lives during the protests, which compelled the Modi government to withdraw the laws.
AAP leaders also chimed in, with Balbir Singh mockingly questioning Ranaut’s understanding of the farm laws, suggesting she would be unable to define them accurately. Singh urged the public not to take her seriously, framing her remarks as mere comedy.
AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang called Ranaut's suggestion to reinstate the laws "an insult to millions of farmers" and urged Prime Minister Modi to take action against her if he genuinely stands with the farming community.
Ranaut's comments come just days before the Assembly elections in Haryana, a region significantly affected by the farmers' protests and blockades that drew thousands to Delhi.
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