New Delhi: Kangana Ranaut, a newly elected MP, and actor, was slapped by a Central Industrial Security Force constable in Chandigarh airport, allegedly for “disrespecting farmers”. Ms Ranaut, who won the Lok Sabha election in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, was about to board a flight to Delhi when the incident occurred.
Kulwinder Kaur, the CISF constable accused of slapping the new MP, has been identified. She has been suspended, and a first information report (FIR) has been initiated against her.
After slapping Ms Ranaut, the paramilitary constable allegedly told the actor-turned-MP that it was for “disrespecting farmers,” referring to farmers’ 15-month-long protest against the (now-scrapped) farm laws and other issues, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price in 2020-21.
Mobile footage shows Ms Ranaut being escorted by a ring of security officers to the security check-in, where she is seen speaking with some CISF officers.
The CISF Commandant has taken note of the incident and is questioning the constable, according to sources. One of her aides has also informed the local police, according to sources.
Ms Ranaut did not speak with reporters after landing in Delhi. Earlier today, she posted an Instagram photo with the caption, “On my way to parliament. Mandi ki Sansad.”
Ms Ranaut said in a video statement posted on X later this evening that she is safe but concerned about rising terrorism in Punjab.
“I’m safe.” I’m perfectly fine. The incident occurred at the security check-in. She then approached from the side and hit me. She started hurling expletives. I asked why she hit me. She stated, ‘I support farmers’. I am safe, but I am concerned that terrorism is increasing in Punjab. “How do we handle that?” Ms. Ranaut said.
The CISF constable expressed her displeasure with Ms Ranaut regarding the actor-turned-MP’s “Rs 100” statement during the farmers’ protest. “She stated that the farmers were sitting there for ₹100. Will she go sit there? “My mother was sitting there, protesting, when she made this statement,” the constable explained.
In December 2020, Ms. Ranaut posted the “Rs 100” comment on X after seeing an elderly woman who was “available for ₹ 100,” suggesting she could be hired to attend protests.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the chief of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, had previously stated that Ms Ranaut should issue an “unconditional apology” within one week. The actor also deleted that post.
During the election campaign, farmers blocked Ms Ranaut’s convoy in Chandigarh as she was heading to Mandi.
In February 2021, international pop star Rihanna took a swipe at the Centre over the farmers’ protest, writing on X (then Twitter), “Why aren’t we talking about this?”
Ms Ranaut responded, “No one is talking about it because they are not farmers; they are terrorists who are trying to divide India so that China can take over our vulnerable broken nation and turn it into a Chinese colony similar to the United States… Sit down you fool, we are not selling our nation like you dummies.”
Kangana later deleted the post.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in November 2021, nearly 15 months after the protests began, that the three farm laws at the center of the farmers’ fierce protests would be repealed.
Among the many controversies, farmers were concerned that the new law would eliminate MSP and would lead to agricultural corporatization – a scenario in which large corporations use their financial power to impose unreasonably low prices on farmers.
They were also concerned that small and marginal landowners would be vulnerable to such unfair contracts unless sale prices were regulated.