Following the incident where newly elected MP and actor Kangana Ranaut was slapped by a Central Industrial Security Force constable at Chandigarh airport, veteran actor Shabana Azmi has expressed her views on the matter. Shabana Azmi stated that while she may not have any personal affection for Kangana Ranaut, she cannot support the act of celebrating the slap. She emphasized that security officials should not take the law into their own hands, as it compromises the safety of everyone.
Shabana Azmi shared her thoughts on X, formerly known as Twitter. Kangana Ranaut, who is both an actor and a politician, won the Lok Sabha election from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi. The incident occurred when she was about to board a flight to Delhi on Thursday. Although a mobile footage of the incident went viral, it does not capture the moment when Ms. Ranaut was slapped. In a video statement, Kangana Ranaut expressed her concern about the increasing terrorism in Punjab and assured that she was safe.
She explained that the incident took place during the security check-in, where the woman guard hit her and used offensive language. Ms. Ranaut questioned how the rising terrorism in Punjab should be addressed. The constable who slapped Kangana Ranaut, Kulwinder Kaur, stated that she did so because the actor had disrespected farmers. She mentioned that Kangana Ranaut had made a comment about farmers protesting for ₹100, and her mother was among those protesting. The woman constable has been suspended, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed. In December 2020, Kangana Ranaut had made the “₹100” comment on X, referring to an elderly woman who she claimed could be hired for protests.
In February 2021, following the endorsement of the protests by renowned global music icon Rihanna, Ms Ranaut responded by labeling the demonstrators as “terrorists” and accusing them of attempting to create division within India. Subsequently, the farm laws were revoked in December 2021. Shortly thereafter, while traveling in Punjab’s Kiratpur Sahib, the actress encountered a group of protesters who halted her car, seeking an apology for her previous remarks against farmers. After engaging in conversation with a few of the protesters, she was eventually permitted to continue her journey.