'Illogical...': BJP leader slams Ranaut for her farm laws remarks
What's the story
Bharatiya Janata Party National Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill criticized party MP Kangana Ranaut over her recent remarks on the three farm laws, calling her statements "consistent rant and illogical."
According to ANI, Shergill expressed gratitude to the BJP for distancing itself from her comments, saying, "I am grateful to the BJP for distancing themselves from the comments of Kangana Ranaut."
He added that her remarks should not cast doubt on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's relationship with the people of Punjab.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The three farm laws — Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act — were repealed in November 2021.
The large-scale farmers' protests began in late November 2020 and concluded after the Parliament decided to repeal the laws.
These legislations had been enacted in June 2020 but were officially revoked in November 2021.
Statement
'Damaging good work...': Shergill
"As a Punjabi, I must say that Kangana Ranaut's consistent rant, useless, baseless, and illogical statements against the Sikh community, the farmers of Punjab are damaging all the good work, the welfare-oriented, the Vikas-oriented work being done, that has been done by PM Modi for the welfare of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat," the BJP leader said.
On Wednesday, the BJP clarified that it does not endorse the remarks made by Ranaut on reinstating the now-repealed three farm laws.
Twitter Post
Read Shergill's full post here
As a Punjabi, must say that Ms Kangana Ranaut’s consistent, baseless, illogical rant against the Farmers of Punjab & Sikh Community has a damaging impact on all the good work done/being done by PM @narendramodi Ji for the welfare of Punjab, Punjabi & Punjabiyat.
— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) September 25, 2024
PM…
Controversial opinion
Ranaut apologizes for her comments
After she was pulled up by the party actor-turned-politician Ranaut apologized on Wednesday for her comments.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), she stated that she supports her party's stance on the issue.
"I had suggested that the farmers should appeal to the PM to bring back the [farm] 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," she said.
Twitter Post
Watch: Ranaut's video here
Do listen to this, I stand with my party regarding Farmers Law. Jai Hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/wMcc88nlK2
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 25, 2024
Backlash
Ranaut's earlier controversies
This isn't the first time the BJP has distanced itself from Ranaut's statements.
Last month, the BJP similarly separated itself from her comments regarding the farmers' protests.
"The statement made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut in the context of the farmers' movement is not the opinion of the party," the BJP said in a release.
"Bharatiya Janata Party expresses disagreement with the statement made by Kangana Ranaut," the party had said.
Details
'Bangladesh-like...': What Ranaut had said
The statement further directed her to avoid future comments on sensitive matters, "Kangana Ranaut has been directed not to make any such statements in future. Bharatiya Janata Party is committed to following the principles of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas' and social harmony."
Ranaut had previously alleged that the protests were leading India toward a "Bangladesh-like situation," with reports of killings and rapes at protest sites.