Hours after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut stood by her remarks on the three controversial farm laws, which were later withdrawn by the Centre, the actor-turned-politician expressed regret and took her words back. In a video posted on X, Kangana was heard saying, “The media had questioned me on farm laws and I had suggested that the farmers should appeal to the Prime Minister to bring back the laws. However, my remarks have disappointed many.”
“I should now keep note of the fact that I am no more an actor, but an MP for the BJP, and hence my opinions should be of the party’s and not personal. I regret hurting the sentiments of the people with my remarks, and I take my words back,” she added.
Kangana captioned the video, “I stand with my party regarding farmers’ laws. Jai Hind.”
This comes a day after Kangana faced criticism from her party and the Opposition over her remarks on farm laws. However, in an earlier X post, the BJP MP wrote, “My views on Farmers Laws are personal and they don’t represent party’s stand on those Bills. Thanks,” (sic).
A row erupted on Tuesday after the Congress shared an undated video of Ranaut on X, in which she could be heard saying, “Farm laws that have been repealed should be brought back. I think this may get controversial. The laws in farmers’ interest be brought back. Farmers should themselves demand this (to bring farm laws back) so that there is no hindrance to their prosperity.”
The 3 black laws imposed on farmers should be brought back– BJP MP Kangana Ranaut said this
More than 750 farmers of the country were martyred, only then the Modi government woke up and these black laws were withdrawn.
Now BJP MPs are planning to bring back these laws again.… pic.twitter.com/Z4YysM6fGE
— Sridhar Ramaswamy Sridhar Ramaswamy ✋ (@sridharramswamy) September 24, 2024
Later, the BJP distanced itself from Kangana’s remarks.
In a self-recorded video message on X, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, “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.”
Meanwhile, the Congress cited Kangana’s remarks and alleged that the ruling party was making efforts to bring back the three laws that were repealed in 2021, and asserted that Haryana will give a befitting reply to it.
Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi also opposed Kangana’s statement and said the party should take note of the matter. He also urged the party to take an action against the actor.
SECOND ROW OVER KANGANA’s REMARKS
Earlier, Kangana had sparked a massive controversy after she, during media interviews, claimed “violence”, “rapes” and “murders” happened during the protest against the farm laws.
A case was filed against her on September 19 by a functionary of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kisan Shakti), after which, an MP-MLA court in Bulandshahr summoned her on October 25.
At that time too, the party had distanced itself from Kangana’s comments on the farmers’ protest and urged the actor-turned-politician to exercise restraint in making such statements in the future.
The three laws — Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act; The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act — were repealed in November 2021.
The farmers’ protest started at the fag-end of November 2020 and ended after Parliament repealed the three laws. The legislations came into force in June 2020 and were repealed in November 2021.
