Legal Woes for Kangana Ranaut: UP Court Issues Summons against Mandi MP over Farmer’s Protest Comments
The newly elected Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut is now into new legal trouble for allegedly commenting on the 2020-21 farmers’ protests. A Uttar Pradesh court reportedly issued summons against the MP on October 25 for having made “objectionable” remarks over the farmer’s movement. Comments she made while talking in interviews and public gatherings have put the farmers and their representatives in a state of outrage and, subsequently, have led them to take the legislative path of action.
Summons Issued Over Controversial Remarks
It Issued Summons to Kangana Ranaut on Controversial Remarks S The court of Second Additional Civil Judge Arjun Singh on Tuesday issued summons to Kangana Ranaut following a complaint by Gajendra Sharma, general secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kisan Shakti), against the actress for making indecent and inflammatory remarks about the farm protest. Ranaut allegedly made these remarks in interviews where she suggested the protests involved “violence,” “rapes,” and “murders.”
The petition was filed on 19 September, and the court issued summons summoning Kangana Ranaut to appear on October 25. It refers to her comments referring to farmers protesting against farm laws as terrorists, said plaintiff Advocate Sanjay Sharma.
The comments, as it later turned out, proved to be the fire starter. The nationwide protests against three farm laws brought forth by the Indian government in 2020 were soon to follow. Months of demonstrations later after thousands of farmers camped at Delhi borders to demand the withdrawal of the laws, the latter was repealed.
Farmers’ Fury: Allegations Of Defamation
Much more problematic, though, would be the farmers’ protest, where many of these ended up becoming a major national issue and had most of the farmers get mainstream political and social groups behind their agitation. It was the comments from Ranaut that set off the ire of the farmers and their supporters because the statements were deemed libelous and inflammatory.
In one of her most inflammatory utterances, Ranaut allegedly labelled protesting farmers “Khalistani” and “Pakistani” elements. It is here that her remarks sparked passions further; she allegedly called farmers “rapists” and “killers” when she later became an MP. It is these remarks to which Sharma imputes his defamation case against her.
“We condemn her statements. She had even given objectionable comments about the farmers protesting at the Ghazipur border before becoming an MP. She is calling farmers rapists and killers even after becoming a parliamentarian. The statement is improper, and we demand action against her,” said Gajendra Sharma.
The Farming Protest and Its Aftermath
It marked the first time in the history of Indian politics for a protest by farmers to extend beyond a year, supported by three contentious farm laws enacted by the government-ones that it argued would liberalize agricultural markets and reap benefit for farmers. The leaders of most protests came from Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh, who feared that these laws would demolish the MSP system, leaving themselves vulnerable to being exploited by big corporations.
The mass protests further led to the emergence of numerous farmer unions and organizations, who camped on different borders around the country’s capital Delhi, even at Ghazipur border. Although the protests were largely peaceful in nature, it often witnessed clashes between protesters and police in violent incidents.
Even under government’s protection, farmers continued protesting for the demands for a complete roll back of the laws. Under sustained protest pressure and ahead of scheduled state elections, the government in late 2021 repealed the farm laws. The farm protests can be called successful, as animosity remains widespread between the government, some politicians, and the farming community.
Kangana Ranaut’s Notorious Political Life
Kangana Ranaut has never been far from controversy ever since the day she entered the public limelight. An ardent supporter of her notion of politics, she has found herself at loggerheads with almost all social and political institutions of the country. More so, after joining politics as a Member of Parliament, her comments often leave opposition leaders and activists heavily criticizing her.
As if the controversy was not enough, her comments on the farmers’ protest evoked more fire and debates about her political conduct. To begin with, the protests that characterize this movement have faced consistent criticisms from farmers and sympathizers of having sulled the movement and misrepresented the demands put forth by farmers.
An extremely important complaint by the farmer is that of Gajendra Sharma, who let out the angst of farmers. He said, “We will take the matter to bigger forums, including the high court and the Supreme Court if necessary. Action should be taken against her immediately. We have requested the President and the Prime Minister to dismiss her membership as a parliamentarian.”
Political Fallout and Legal Proceedings
The UP court summons may be just the starting point of a long and grueling legal battle for Kangana Ranaut. She is required to appear in the court on 25th October or face further legal ramifications if she fails to report to the court. All this has been making headlines in different media due to the very profilic nature of the case wherein the general public wonders if this will affect her political status.
The legal case is of more importance to the farmers, as alleged by Bharatiya Kisan Union and other farmer associations because this case will allow some public office holders who will take full responsibility for making such comments. This is the objective of Gajendra Sharma and other accused, who wanted to pursue this case with a clear message against a defamation made on farmers.
Future Outcome
It raises broader questions of what expectations reside over public figures and elected officials when making public statements. The farmers protest may be technically over, but for many it’s still a sensitive subject and remarks like that made by Ranaut can touch off tension everywhere again.
The case could have far-reaching implications not only for Ranaut but also for how elected representatives are held accountable for their public comments. As the case unfolds, it will continue to attract high-profile attention from political observers, the media, and the farming community.
Now, on October 25, all eyes are on that courtroom hearing as Kangana Ranaut is to be questioned about the words she spoke and knocked in a legal blow for controversial statements.
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