Kangana's 'Terrorism' Response To ‘Slap’ Draws Punjab's Ire

According to HT, "As per the source, the MP-elect from Mandi was slapped at security check for pushing the security personnel after the actor-politician refused to put her phone in the tray during security check. Kangana Ranaut left for Delhi at 3 pm by a Vistara flight".… pic.twitter.com/qVjXVDtNeH

According to reports, Constable Kulwinder Kaur has been suspended and an FIR lodged against her besides a departmental probe into the matter.

Visuals from the incident on social media showed Kangana heading towards the security check area from the airport. The video showed the actor surrounded by her own security team, heading to the frisking booth, where an argument broke out between her and the female CISF official.

There are also visuals of a man wearing a Himachali cap, who seemed to be from Ranaut’s group also hitting another woman near him.

According to reports, after Ranaut was slapped by the CISF constable, the actor’s aide, in a video, was seen trying to push the official away.

Ranaut in a video shared by on X narrated, “I am getting a lot of phone calls, from the media as well as my well-wishers. First of all, I am safe, I am perfectly fine. The incident that happened today at Chandigarh airport was during the security check.

“As soon as I came out after the security check, the lady in the second cabin, a CISF security staff came from the side, hit me on my face and started abusing me. When I asked her why she did so, she said that she supports farmers' protests. I am safe but I am concerned about the terrorism and extremism that is increasing in Punjab.”

Reacting to the episode Darshan Pal who was at the forefront of the farmers’ movement against the three controversial farm laws that were eventually withdrawn, said, “Everyone knows how she defamed the farmers, women, daughters and mothers who were participating in the movement.

“She has now been elected from Himachal Pradesh and should stick to the politics of that place. Why is she talking about terrorism in Punjab? There is no terrorism or extremism in Punjab. If that is the case, people even talk about the terrorism and extremism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).”

Kanwaljit Khanna who was instrumental in organising the movement underlined, “Kangana is known for sprinkling salt on the wounds of the farmers. She was the one justifying the excesses by the state on those participating in the farmers’ movement where people were being called Khalistanis, Maoists and terrorists. Today she represents the very same state and in that case she is the biggest terrorist and extremist.”

He further pointed at a ‘dirty game’ being played with Punjab and added that Kangana does not fit into the ‘spiritual and cultural’ dimensions of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “She was fielded in the elections as the BJP wanted to get votes on her Bollywood face and not its policies.”

Meanwhile, the farmers who had undertaken the Delhi chalo march February under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, and are currently camping on the Punjab Haryana border, have also reacted strongly to the episode.

A statement released from them said, “Kangana's words for women sitting on dharna was not only degrading but shows her hatred towards women farmers in general. Kulwinder Kaur felt that the insult was directed towards every woman farmer sitting at the farmers’ protest which included her mother too.

“This young lady has risked her entire career. Imagine the impact of Kangana's words on her mind. Kangana has often been heard uttering disparaging words towards various people.

“Before entering Parliament, proper monitoring of her behaviour, a drug analysis test and a record of her behavioural disorder should be considered.”

Their leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “In the past also people have given vent to their anger against politicians as can be recalled from the instances of a shoe being hurled at P. Chidambaram or black ink being thrown on Arvind Kejriwal. The slapping of Kangana was not premeditated but an instantaneous response.”

Taking strong exception to Kangana’s statement, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that her continuous targeting of Punjab and Punjabis is extremely unfortunate and painful.

He said that Kangana’s hateful comments against Punjabis regarding the matter after the argument with Punjabi security personnel of CISF at the Chandigarh airport is “an expression of her anti-Punjab mentality”.

The SGPC President said that Kangana’s statement that terrorism is increasing in Punjab is an expression of her sick mentality, while the truth is that the terrorism being spread through her own tongue is polluting the atmosphere of the country.

Advocate Dhami said that she should never forget that if the multi-ethnic and multi-lingual culture of the country is alive today, it is because of the sacrifices made by Punjabis for the country. He added that it is not good for the country to ignore the mutual harmony and social relations of the people in the country just to be popular by forgetting the history.

“But Kangana Ranaut is deliberately walking on this path, “he pointed out while appealing to the leaders of the BJP to teach Kangana Ranaut a lesson in self-control and moral values.

He demanded that there should be an in-depth investigation into the causes of the incident at the Chandigarh airport to see if Kangana made any mischievous arguments to create an atmosphere of hatred against Punjab. He sought that the investigation be conducted by the CISF without any political or personal influence so that injustice is not done.

In a strong statement posted on social media, Sukhpal Khaira who is a senior Congress leader from Punjab and the president of All India Kisan Congress, said, “I vehemently condemn the hate mongering of fascist @KanganaTeam. Kangana Ranaut spreading hatred against farmers & Punjab.

“I never support any kind of violence but she was slapped by CISF personnel Kulwinder Kaur due to her own nefarious divisive agenda and her hate for farmers. The CISF personnel hit her bcoz she felt bad when Kangana taunted protesting farmers to be paid daily wagers as her mother was part of the same protest.

“It appears she has learnt no lesson and is once again spitting venom against farmers & Punjab. She is trying to portray her slap with revival of terrorism in Punjab not realising it was a SLAP and not a bullet fired. She should now realise she’s an MP and must control her tongue.”

In his reaction general secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) Bikram Singh Majithia said, “Pain of farmers is still in the minds of Punjabis. More than 700 farmers had laid down their lives in protest against three anti farmer farm laws but @KanganaTeam spitted venom against Punjabis particularly women folk.

“What happened today at Chandigarh airport is the result of anger of Punjabis against Ranaut. Though I am not a supporter of violence in any form, we have repeatedly said that farmers are supporting the nation by providing food and their sons, brothers and sisters are serving at the borders of the nation and their voice should not get unheard.

“What happened today is the result of the refusal by rulers to hear the voices of farmers and soldiers of the country. Rulers should understand why such a situation has emerged which forced Kulwinder Kaur to take such extreme steps.

“Even today a statement has been issued that Punjabis are turning into terrorists…We need to avoid such statements which create an atmosphere of bitterness.”

Meanwhile, social media is largely divided on what has transpired against Ranaut. While some are supporting the CISF personnel, others are calling it a security breach.

Kangana’s rival candidate in Mandi, Vikramaditya Singh, also reacted to the incident, saying such incidents should not occur with an MP.

“This is very unfortunate. This should not happen to anyone, particularly a lady who is a Member of Parliament now. There were some grievances of the CISF constable regarding the farmers’ protest but assaulting someone like this is unfortunate. We condemn this and action should be taken by the government against this...,” he said.

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur who was the main force behind Kangana’s electoral campaign has said, “The incident that happened at the airport with the newly elected MP Kangana Ranaut ji is unfortunate. There should be legal action on this matter.”

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh came in support of Kulwinder Kaur and took a jibe at the BJP saying that the children of farmers are angry with them.

While sharing a video he wrote, “BJP leaders should be given adequate security. The sons and daughters of the farmers are very angry. BJP should also control their party leaders. My car was also attacked by BJP workers on June 4."

The issue is all set to gather more steam in the coming days. With the elections just over, the political parties in Punjab are looking to take pole positions on issues. Everyone wants to take the support of the farming community in this largely rural state and there is a race for one upmanship.

Kangana’s statement is already drawing criticism from various sections of the society to the extent that songs have emerged on the slapping episode and are being circulated on the social media with aplomb.

Apart from this the community of youtubers has also got into the act and is coming out with videos lampooning Kangana and also in support of the CISF personnel.