BJP Distances Itself from Kangana Ranaut's Remarks on Farmers' Protest
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has distanced itself from its Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut's remarks about the farmers' agitation. In an official statement, the party expressed its disagreement with her comments and clarified that she is not authorized to speak on policy matters on behalf of the BJP.
Ranaut had 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. She also alleged that during the protests, "bodies were seen hanging and rapes were taking place."
Her remarks did not go down well within her party. Senior BJP leader Harjit Garewal asked Ranaut to refrain from such comments, stating that it is not her department to speak on farmers and that her statement is personal. He emphasized that PM Modi and the BJP are farmer-friendly and that Ranaut's comments could further fuel farmers' outrage against the party, potentially impacting its poll prospects in agri-centric areas.
This is not the first time Ranaut has faced backlash for her comments on farmers. In 2020, during the anti-farm laws protest, she had made derogatory remarks about a farmer, sparking widespread criticism.