Actor-turned politician Kangana Ranaut is again in the headlines for her statement on farmers. This is not the first time that Kangana has spoken about the farmers and got herself in the pool of controversies.
BJP had earlier distanced itself from the statement made by her regarding farmers’ protests of 2020-2021 in August. Now, again for her remarks on the repealed farm laws, Kangana has come under the eyes of the party leadership.
What Did Kangana Say?
While speaking at a religious fair in Nachan of Mandi constituency, Kangana said, “I believe the repealed farm laws should be brought back. I understand it may become controversial, but I think these farmer-welfare-oriented laws should return. Farmers should demand these laws themselves. Just as farmers in other regions are benefiting, there should be no obstacles to their development.”
Kangana’s statement has come at a time when Haryana assembly elections is round the corner, and this has put party on the back foot. Haryana is land of farmers and during the farmers’ protest in 2020-21, farmers’ union and farmers from Haryana had actively participated in it. This has prompted party to be very careful about what goes out in the public.
The three farm laws were repealed by the government on 1 December, 2021. Farm Laws Repeal Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on November 29, 2021 by the former Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar. The repeal of the laws came after the farmers’ protest that had continued for a year.
“Farmers are an important pillar of our country. Just as the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative would benefit bureaucrats and government employees, who often have to go on election duties, farmers too should demand the return of the three farm laws, which were opposed only by a few states. I urge them with folded hands to ask for the reinstatement of these laws,” she added.
What Did Opposition Say?
Her statement has been condemned by farmer union leaders and political parties like Congress and Haryana. AAP leader Malvinder Singh Kang has slammed the BJP for Kangana’s comment. “I feel sorry for PM Modi. He said that he was unable to understand farmers’ concerns and he is taking back (farmers’) laws… It seems like either Kangana is challenging PM Modi or PM Modi has become helpless, only BJP can tell,” said Kang.
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate also hit at the BJP. She wrote, “More than 750 farmers were martyred while opposing the three black anti-farmer laws. Efforts are being made to bring them back again. We will never let this happen. Haryana will be the first to answer.”
How Did BJP React?
Amid the controversies fueled by Kangana’s statement and backlash the party has been receiving, BJP has again clarified on her statement by calling it her personal views and not the party’s view. BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia said, “On the social media platforms, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s statement on the farm bills that was withdrawn by central govt, is going viral. I want to make it clear that this statement is a personal statement of her. Kangana Ranaut is not authorised to make such a statement on behalf of BJP and it doesn’t depict BJP’s view on the farm bills. We disapprove of this statement.”
Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli has also distanced from BJP MP Kangana’s statement. He said, “She keeps saying too many things. Once PM Modi withdrew them, there was nothing left for anyone in the party to say anything more.’’
Kangana’s Clarification
After the strong reactions that came against her statement, Kangana also cleared her stand calling it personal. “Absolutely, my views on Farmers Laws are personal and they don’t represent party’s stand on those Bills. Thanks”, wrote Kangana on X.
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