Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut is known for her irrelevant, outrageous comments on the sensitive topic which gradually sparks conversation. Now, she has ignited a new political firestorm with controversial social media comments about Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, drawing sharp criticism from both opposition leaders and members of her own party.
Kangana Ranaut’s remarks on Mahatma Gandhi sparks row
The BJP MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, posted a contentious message on Instagram Stories that appeared to challenge Mahatma Gandhi’s status as ‘Father of the Nation.’
“Desh ke pita nahi, desh ke to lal hote hai. Dhanye hai Bharat ma ke ye lal (‘The country does not have fathers; it has sons. Blessed are these sons of Mother India),” wrote Ranaut while paying tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 120th birth anniversary.
Immediate backlash from Opposition
The remarks prompted immediate backlash, with Congress leader Supriya Shrinate condemning what she called a “lewd jibe” at Gandhi. “Godse worshippers draw distinctions between Bapu and Shastri ji. Will Narendra Modi wholeheartedly forgive his party’s new Godse devotee?” Shrinate questioned on X (formerly Twitter).
Even the BJP draws criticism
More significantly, the controversy has drawn criticism from within BJP ranks. Senior party leader Manoranjan Kalia from Punjab publicly rebuked Ranaut, stating, “Politics is not her field. Politics is a serious affair. One must think before speaking… Her controversial remarks cause trouble for the party.”
Kangana in Soup again!
This latest incident follows a pattern of controversial statements from the newly elected MP. Just last month, Ranaut faced public outcry for her comments on the farmers’ protest, where she claimed the agitation was creating a “Bangladesh-type situation in India” with allegations of “dead bodies hanging, and rapes taking place” at protest sites.
Following that backlash, Ranaut had retreated from her position, acknowledging her dual responsibility as both an artist and BJP representative. In an apparent attempt to soften her latest controversial stance, she followed up with a post crediting Prime Minister Modi for advancing Gandhi’s legacy of cleanliness in India.
The incident highlights the continuing challenges faced by political parties when celebrities-turned-politicians make controversial statements, particularly regarding historically revered figures like Mahatma Gandhi.
