‘I was hit on face, abused’: Kangana Ranaut after being slapped at airport; Here’re other controversies involving Ranaut

Newly elected Member of Parliament and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut was reportedly slapped by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable at Chandigarh airport. The incident occurred as Ranaut was about to board a flight to Delhi.In a statement, Ranaut said, “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’ protest. I am safe but I am concerned about the terrorism and extremism that is increasing in Punjab.”

Ranaut did not speak to reporters upon landing in Delhi. Earlier, she had posted a photo on Instagram captioned, “On my way to parliament. Mandi ki sansad.”

In a video statement later, Ranaut reiterated that she is safe but expressed concern over rising terrorism in Punjab. She said, “I am safe. I am perfectly fine. The incident happened at the security check-in. The woman guard waited for me to cross. She then came from the side and hit me. She started throwing expletives. I asked why she hit me. She said ‘I support farmers’. I am safe, but my concern is terrorism is rising in Punjab. How do we handle that?”
The CISF constable who allegedly slapped Ranaut has been identified as Kulwinder Kaur. She reportedly told Ranaut that the action was in response to her “disrespecting farmers”. This likely refers to Ranaut’s past comments on the farmers’ protest, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price.

CISF has suspended the woman constable and given a complaint against her at the local police station for FIR, in connection with slapping BJP leader and actor Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport, said a senior CISF officer.

The guard first questioned Kangana about farmers agitation and farmers condition in Punjab and later got agitated enough to slap the actress.

Kangana has demanded that this CISF guard should be removed and strict action should be taken against her as soon as possible.Mobile footage captured Ranaut being escorted by a ring of security officers towards the security check-in, where she engaged with CISF officers. The Commandant of CISF has taken note of the incident and is questioning the constable involved.

Kangana Ranaut’s Past Controversies

In April 2020, Ranaut faced a police complaint for allegedly fueling communal tension. This occurred after she labeled Muslims as “terrorists” in a video supporting her sister and manager, Rangoli Chandel. Chandel herself was suspended from the social media platform X, then Twitter, for inciting violence against the religious minority.

Further adding to her controversial remarks, in 2021, Ranaut was named in another police complaint. This time, she denounced a mass protest by farmers against the Modi government as a “Khalistani movement”. She also referred to farmers from the minority Sikh community, who comprised the majority of protesters, as terrorists or separatists.

Due to her repeated violations of its rules on hateful conduct and abusive behavior, Ranaut was banned from X, then Twitter. This move came as a consequence of her polarizing statements and actions, highlighting her contentious relationship with social media platforms.

This incident is not the first time Ranaut has been embroiled in controversy related to the farmers’ protest. During the election campaign, farmers had blocked her convoy in Chandigarh. Additionally, in 2021, Ranaut had a public spat with international pop star Rihanna over the farmers’ protest, labeling the protesters as “terrorists”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the withdrawal of the three farm laws in November 2021, nearly 15 months after the protests began. Farmers had expressed concerns that the laws would eliminate the minimum support price and lead to the corporatization of agriculture, leaving small and marginal landholders vulnerable.