New Delhi: Newly elected MP and actor Kangana Ranaut was allegedly slapped by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable at Chandigarh airport over remarks perceived as “disrespecting farmers.” Ranaut, who recently won the Lok Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, was preparing to board a flight to Delhi when the incident occurred.
The CISF constable, identified as Kulwinder Kaur, has been suspended, and a first information report (FIR) has been filed against her.
According to reports, after slapping Ranaut, the constable allegedly stated that it was in response to the actor-turned-MP’s comments about farmers, referencing the 15-month-long protest against the now-repealed farm laws and demands for a legal guarantee of minimum support price in 2020-21.
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, who secured victory in the Lok Sabha election from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, was preparing to board a flight to Delhi when the incident occurred.
Mobile footage captures Ms. Ranaut being escorted by a group of security officers as she heads towards the security check-in area, where she is observed conversing with several CISF officers.
The CISF Commandant has taken note of the incident and is questioning the constable involved, according to sources. Additionally, one of Ms. Ranaut’s aides has informed the local police about the matter.
After landing in Delhi, Ms. Ranaut did not speak to reporters. Earlier in the day, she had posted a photo on Instagram with the caption, “On my way to parliament. Mandi ki sansad.”
In a video statement on X later in the evening, Ms. Ranaut reassured her followers that she is safe but expressed concern about rising terrorism in Punjab.
“I am safe. I am perfectly fine. The incident happened at the security check-in. The woman guard waited for me to cross. She then came from the side and hit me. She started throwing expletives. I asked why she hit me. She said, ‘I support farmers.’ I am safe, but my concern is terrorism is rising in Punjab. How do we handle that?” Ms. Ranaut stated.
Shocking rise in terror and violence in Punjab…. pic.twitter.com/7aefpp4blQ
— Kangana Ranaut (Modi Ka Parivar) (@KanganaTeam) June 6, 2024
The CISF constable explained that she was upset with Ms. Ranaut over the actor-turned-MP’s “Rs 100” comment during the farmers’ protest. “She had said that the farmers are sitting there for ₹ 100. Would she go and sit there? My mother was protesting when she made this statement,” the constable said.
In December 2020, Ms. Ranaut had posted the “Rs 100” comment on X, referring to an elderly woman she claimed was “available for ₹ 100,” suggesting she could be hired to attend protests.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa, chief of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, demanded that Ms. Ranaut issue an “unconditional apology” within a week. The actor later deleted the post.
Photo credit: NDTV.com
