An MP-MLA court in Uttar Pradesh has summoned Lok Sabha MP and actor Kangana Ranaut in connection with a case filed against her for making objectionable remarks regarding the 2020-21 farmers’ protest. The court has scheduled her appearance for October 25, according to advocate Sanjay Sharma. The complaint, lodged by Gajendra Sharma, the general secretary (organisation) of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) (Kisan Shakti), accuses Ranaut of making inflammatory statements during media interviews.
The remarks, made while the farmers were protesting against three controversial farm laws (which were subsequently withdrawn by the Centre), included claims of violence, rapes, and murders occurring during the protests.
Sanjay Sharma, the lawyer representing the plaintiff, confirmed that the matter was filed in the court on September 19. According to news agency PTI, he stated, “The court has issued a notice to Kangana Ranaut, asking her to appear on October 25. The case pertains to her comments against farmers during the protest.”
Gajendra Sharma elaborated on the nature of the complaint, explaining that Ranaut had previously made disparaging remarks about the farmers’ movement, even before her election to the Lok Sabha. “She had referred to farmers as Khalistani and Pakistani during the protest at the Ghazipur border. Now, after becoming a Member of Parliament, she has gone further, labelling farmers as rapists and killers,” he said.
“We strongly condemn her statements. We will pursue this matter at all levels. If necessary, we will approach the high court and the Supreme Court. We have also appealed to the President and the Prime Minister, urging them to dismiss her from Parliament,” Gajendra Sharma added.
The case has been filed in the court of Second Additional Civil Judge (senior division) Arjun Singh. The hearing will take place on October 25, where Ranaut is expected to respond to the charges.
ALSO READ | Kangana Ranaut Gets Fresh Notice From Chandigarh Court Over ‘Emergency’
BJP Distanced Itself From Kangana Ranaut, Congress Slammed Her For ‘Disrespecting’ Farmers
Earlier, the BJP distanced itself from Kangana Ranaut’s remarks stating that she was not authorised to speak about policy matters on behalf of the party.
The statement came after Kangana, in a video re-posted by her on social media platform X, claimed that “bodies were seen hanging and rapes were taking place” during the farmers’ protest, further blaming “foreign powers” and “vested interests” for prolonging the demonstrations despite the rollback of the laws.
She stated, “What happened in Bangladesh, it could have easily happened here too. There is a conspiracy by foreign powers and these filmy people thrive on it. They don’t care if the country goes to the dogs.”
The comments drew sharp criticism from the Congress and Lok Sabha Leader Of Opposition Rahul Gandhi slammed BJP for “disrespecting” farmers.