Rahul Gandhi Slams Kangana Ranaut Over Farmers' Protest Remarks

Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi criticizes BJP MP Kangana Ranaut for remarks on farmers' protest, alleging she insulted farmers and fueled anti-BJP sentiments. Congress insists on legal MSP guarantee, while BJP distances itself from Ranaut's statements, stressing commitment to social harmony.

In a heated exchange on Monday, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, intensified criticism against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, condemning her recent comments on the farmers' protest. The Congress leader accused Ranaut of 'insulting the farmers' with her remarks, which have sparked further outrage against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader.

The Congress MP lambasted Ranaut for her controversial comparison of farmers' struggles, accusing them of being 'rapists and representatives' of foreign forces. 'The propaganda machinery of the Modi government, which has failed to fulfil promises to the farmers, is continuously engaged in insulting them. The BJP MP's remarks, labelling farmers who sacrificed 700 comrades during the 378-day marathon struggle as 'rapists' and 'representatives of foreign forces,' further highlight the BJP's anti-farmer policies and intentions,' Gandhi wrote on a post on X.

Gandhi continued his tirade against the BJP, accusing the government of neglecting its stance on the Minimum Support Price (MSP). 'These shameful anti-farmer statements are a gross insult to farmers across the country, including those in western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. The government committee formed at the time of withdrawing the farmers' movement remains inactive; the government has yet to clarify its position on MSP, no relief has been provided to the families of martyred farmers, and now their character assassination continues,' he added.

Gandhi also assured that the INDIA alliance would ensure a legal guarantee for MSP for farmers. 'The Modi government's betrayal of farmers cannot be concealed by disrespecting those who provide food and attacking their dignity. Regardless of the conspiracies of Narendra Modi and the BJP, INDIA will ensure a legal guarantee of MSP for farmers,' Gandhi stated on X.

Congress leader Kunwar Danish Ali also slammed Ranaut's statements on the farmers' movement, urging the BJP to expel her from the party. 'If the BJP does not concur with her statement, as the kind of statement Kangana Ranaut has made, the BJP should not only apologise but should remove her from the party if its leadership has any shame left,' Ali said.

In response, the BJP distanced itself from Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut's remarks on the farmers' protest and advised the actor-turned-politician to refrain from making similar comments in the future. 'The statement made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut regarding the farmers' movement does not reflect the opinion of the party. The Bharatiya Janata Party disagrees with the statement made by Kangana Ranaut. On behalf of the party, Kangana Ranaut is neither permitted nor authorised to make statements on party policy issues,' the party stated in a release.

'Kangana Ranaut has been directed not to make any such statements in the future. The Bharatiya Janata Party is committed to following the principles of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas' and maintaining social harmony,' it added. According to media reports, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut stirred controversy by suggesting that the farmers' protests could have led to a Bangladesh-like situation if strong measures had not been taken by the government.

(With inputs from agencies.)