Days after newly elected MP and actress Kangana Ranaut was allegedly slapped by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable at Chandigarh airport, several Bollywood celebrities have spoken out against the incident.
Incident Overview:
Kangana Ranaut, who recently won the Lok Sabha election from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, was involved in a confrontation at Chandigarh airport while boarding a flight to Delhi. Viral footage showed Ranaut being escorted to a check-in counter, where a verbal altercation with a CISF constable, Kulwinder Kaur, ensued. Although the video did not capture the physical altercation, Ranaut claimed in a video statement that Kaur slapped her and used abusive language, citing her support for farmers.
Ranaut has previously faced backlash for her comments on farmers, including a tweet in December 2020 where she suggested that an elderly woman protestor could be hired for ₹100. Kaur stated she slapped Ranaut due to her derogatory remarks about farmers.
Shabana Azmi’s Response:
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi expressed her disapproval of the incident, despite her differences with Ranaut. “I have no love lost for Kangana Ranaut. But I can’t find myself joining this chorus of celebrating ‘the slap’. If security personnel start taking law into their hands, none of us can be safe,” Azmi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Reactions from Bollywood:
Other Bollywood personalities, including Anupam Kher, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman, have also condemned the incident. Speaking to the paparazzi, Anupam Kher expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing that no one should misuse their position to inflict harm. “Mujhe bara afsos hua. Ek mahila k saath ek mahila k dwaara jo apne position ka fayeda uthakar is tarah ki harqat ki, bilkul ghalat hai. Iski kanooni karwaayi honi chahiye,” Kher said, calling for a legal investigation.
Shekhar Suman and his son Adhyayan echoed these sentiments, labeling the act as illegal and unacceptable. “Woh ghalat hai, woh toh bohut ghalat hai. Bohut hi durbhagyepurn hai. Aesa kisi k saath nahi hona chahiye,” Shekhar Suman stated, stressing that grievances should be expressed in a civil manner rather than through physical violence.
Aftermath and Legal Actions:
Following the incident, the CISF constable, Kulwinder Kaur, has been suspended, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against her. The CISF has also initiated a court of inquiry to investigate the matter further.
Background and Context:
The altercation comes in the wake of heightened tensions surrounding the controversial farm laws, which were repealed in December 2021. Ranaut’s critical comments on the farmers’ protests have made her a polarizing figure, leading to multiple confrontations, including an incident in Punjab’s Kiratpur Sahib where protestors demanded an apology from her.
Conclusion:
The incident at Chandigarh airport highlights the ongoing friction between Kangana Ranaut and her critics, particularly over her stance on farmer protests. While celebrities like Shabana Azmi and Anupam Kher have called for a more measured and lawful response to grievances, the incident underscores the broader challenges of maintaining decorum and safety in public interactions involving high-profile individuals.
