Himachal assembly adopts resolution condemning Kangana's remarks on farmers' protests
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has passed a resolution condemning comments made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut. The controversy stems from an interview clip posted by Ranaut, in which she suggested that the farmers' protests could have led to a "Bangladesh-like situation" in India, if not for the government's strong actions. She also claimed that bodies were hanging and rapes were occurring during the protests against the now-repealed three farm laws.
Himachal Pradesh Assembly debates over Ranaut's remarks
In the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan labeled Ranaut's comments as an insult to the entire farming community. He urged BJP members to clarify its stance on this issue. However, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur stated that Ranaut's comments were personal and did not represent the party's views. This statement was made after BJP members returned from a walkout they had staged earlier in the session over alleged deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
Call for legal action against Ranaut
In 2021, for several months, thousands of farmers from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh protested at Delhi's borders against the now-repealed farm laws. With Haryana Assembly polls approaching, the opposition has leveraged Ranaut's remarks to hit out at the BJP. Sushil Gupta, AAP's Haryana president, stated that this revealed the BJP's "mindset" regarding farmers. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav labeled Ranaut's comments as "deliberate" and might be used by the BJP to deflect blame for future electoral defeats in Haryana.
BJP distances itself from Ranaut's comments
The BJP has distanced itself from Ranaut's comments, stating that she was neither permitted nor authorized to comment on party policy matters. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu supported the resolution and suggested that the BJP should have discussed this issue with the Assembly themselves. Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri added that farmers were enraged due to Ranaut's remarks and urged the BJP to reconsider its conduct.
