BJP condemns Kangana's statement on farm laws amid Congress's wrath
Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has once again courted controversy by saying that the three contentious farm laws—repealed by the Centre after extended farmer protests—should be reinstated. Her comments have drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. On Tuesday night, her party—the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—distanced itself from Ranaut's remarks and said that the Mandi MP is not "not authorized" to speak on the party's behalf.
Why does this story matter?
The three farm laws — Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act — were repealed in November 2021. The large-scale farmers' protests began in late November 2020 and concluded after the Parliament decided to repeal the laws. These legislations had been enacted in June 2020 but were officially revoked in November 2021.
What BJP spokesperson said
In a video message, BJP Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the remarks are "personal statement" of Ranaut. "On the social media platforms...Ranaut's statement on the farm bills that was withdrawn by...government is going viral. I want to make it clear that this statement is a personal statement of her...it doesn't depict BJP's view on the farm bills. We disapprove of this statement," he added.
'My views are personal...': Ranaut
Responding to Bhatia's statement, Ranaut posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Absolutely, my views on Farmers Laws are personal and they don't represent party's stand on those Bills. Thanks." Earlier, during a media interaction, Ranaut had said, "I know this statement could be controversial, but the three farm laws should be brought back. Farmers themselves should demand it."
Watch Ranaut's reaction and BJP's statement here
Congress leaders criticize Ranaut's statement
Ranaut's comments were met with strong criticism from opposition leaders. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja hit out at the MP calling her "habitually controversial." "I think she is mentally unstable. Some people are accustomed to creating controversy, and the BJP benefits from her statements. She talks about farmers, Punjab, the Emergency, and Rahul Gandhi. There are other MPs who never make such remarks," the Congress leader said.
'BJP's real thinking...': Congress hits out
Congress Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said on X, "'All three farm laws should be brought back': BJP MP Kangana Ranaut. More than 750 farmers were martyred while protesting against the three black farmer laws." "We'll never let that happen...Haryana will answer first," Shrinate said, referencing to the upcoming Haryana elections. The Congress's Pawan Khera also shared the video on X and said it was the BJP's "real thinking".
Ranaut's earlier controversies
This isn't the first time the BJP has distanced itself from Ranaut's statements. Last month, the BJP similarly separated itself from her comments regarding the farmers' protests. "The statement made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut in the context of the farmers' movement is not the opinion of the party," the BJP said in a release. "Bharatiya Janata Party expresses disagreement with the statement made by Kangana Ranaut," the party had said.
'Bangladesh-like situation...': What Ranaut had said
The statement further directed her to avoid future comments on sensitive matters, "Kangana Ranaut has been directed not to make any such statements in future. Bharatiya Janata Party is committed to following the principles of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas' and social harmony." Ranaut had previously alleged that the protests were leading India toward a "Bangladesh-like situation," with reports of killings and rapes at protest sites.
