A derogatory post against actor Kangana Ranaut by a Congress leader, the BJP’s candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, has ignited a firestorm of controversy on social media.
The purported post from Congress’ social media chairperson Supriya Shrinate features a picture of Ranaut dressed in a corset top and the caption reads: "Kya bhav chal raha hai Mandi me?" which roughly translates to, "Can anyone tell me what are the rates in Mandi?" - a derogatory insinuation implying sex work.
Ranaut, 37, took to Twitter to share a screenshot of the post and deliver a scathing retort. In her response, she highlighted her diverse roles in cinema where she played different types of women. emphasizing the need to emancipate women from societal prejudices and objectification.
“We must free our daughters from the shackles of prejudices, we must rise above the curiosity about their body parts and above all we must refrain from using sex workers challenging lives or circumstances as some kind of abuse or slur… every woman deserves her dignity…,” Ranaut wrote.
However, the plot thickened as the post was swiftly deleted, and Supriya Shrinate issued a clarification, disavowing any association with the objectionable content.
“Anyone who knows me will vouch that I cannot use such words against any woman, I highly condemn this,” she said in Hindi.
She said that several people have access to her social media accounts and vehemently denied any knowledge about the post. She further pointed to the direction of a parody account on Twitter misusing her name and said they have done acts like this before. She has reported the parody profile that she claims was a complete copy of her original profile.
Many came to Ranaut’s support after the post including BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla and Union Minister Smriti Irani.
Smriti Irani slammed the Congress and praised Ranaut as a “woman of steel.”
“This initiation into politics by fire @KanganaTeam is not a reflection on who you are but on what they have done and are capable of continuing to do for they can’t fathom how to deal with women of steel. March onto victory. Vijayi Bhav!” Irani said.
“Supriya Shrinate has made disgusting comment and poster on Kangana Ranut who has been given a Lok Sabha ticket from Mandi,” Shehzad Poonawalla said.
Rekha Sharma, the chairperson of the National Commission of Women, also came in Ranaut’s support and said she was writing to the Election Commission on the matter.
BJP leader Khushbu Sundar also slammed Shrinate. "Absolutely appalling and disgusting post by Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate. It’s more shocking as it comes from another woman. Do not forget you are born to a mother and you are a mother too. Probably when you are sure of losing, one tends to go to any extent to please the bosses. Will congress sack supriya or take an action against her?" Sundar wrote in an X post.
The Bharatiya Janata Party announced the induction of Kangana Ranaut into the political arena in a surprise announcement on Monday, fielding her as their candidate from Mandi.
Ranaut's entry into politics comes after years of her public support for the ruling BJP and its leaders but also amid claims that she would never join politics.
Speaking to news agency ANI after her nomination was announced, she expressed her gratitude towards the BJP leadership for the opportunity and spoke about her emotional connection to Himachal Pradesh, referring to it as her 'janmabhoomi' (birthplace), and pledged to serve the people with dedication if elected.
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