Congress takes a dig at Ranaut's '3 jaatiya hain' comment
Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut's opposition to the caste census in India has sparked a row. The Congress criticized the Lok Sabha MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, arguing that as an upper-caste person, she lacks awareness of the struggles faced by backward communities. To recall, Ranaut stirred controversy with her remarks on the farmers' protests, leading Bharatiya Janata Party chief JP Nadda to summon her for a meeting on Thursday.
Why does this story matter?
In an interview with The Lallantop, Ranaut was questioned about her views on the caste census. She said, "My position is the same as Yogi Adityanath's. Saath rahenge nek rahenge, batenge katenge (let's stay together, remain good. If we are divided, we will be destroyed)." Ranaut argued against the caste census, saying, "We don't even know the caste of actors. Nobody knows anything. The people around me don't care about caste. Why determine it now?"
Ranaut expresses concerns about rising violence
Ranaut also expressed concerns about rising violence against women, saying that women are a marginalized group needing upliftment, not based on caste. She added, "Bas Bas 3 jaatiya hain, gareeb, kissan aur mahilayein. Iske ilawa chauthi koi jaat he nahi honi chahaye (There are only three castes: poor, farmers, and women. There should be no fourth caste)." The actor-turned-politician questioned the need for a caste census now when it wasn't done before.
What Shrinate said
Reacting to Ranaut's statement, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Today, BJP MP Kangana said again, "There should be no caste census at all." "Why should there be one? Why determine caste? There is nothing like caste around me."" "Madam, you are an upper caste, wealthy, a star, and an MP. How would you know the condition of a Dalit, backward, tribal, or poor General Caste individual?" he added.
Read: Shrinate's statement here
Ranaut's statements should be regarded as BJP's position: Shrinate
"Modi ji, break your silence. If not to us, then at least tell your allies Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party's Chirag Paswan your stance," Shrinate said. Shrinate, the Congress's chairperson for social media and digital platforms, suggested that the actor's statements should be regarded as the BJP's official position. She pointed out that despite the recent reprimand from the party headquarters over her remarks on the farmers' issue, the actor appeared unfazed.
