'Ask Kangana Ranaut How Rape Happens': Former Punjab MP's Remark Triggers Row, She Hits Back

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab MP Simranjit Singh Mann triggered a controversy by making a derogatory remark on actor-politician Kangana Ranaut, days after she said rapes took place during farmer’ protests in the country’s northern belt earlier this year.

“Kangana Ranaut has a lot of experience with rape. You can ask her how it happens. People should be educated on how rape occurs,” the former Sangrur MP said.

The SAD Amritsar chief said this while addressing a presser in Karnal to announce his plans to contest the Haryana polls.

He also stated that those advocating for freedom were being targeted by the government. He said Sikhs were not free, and he supported their desire for a separate country. He said they wanted a buffer state as it would prevent war between India and Pakistan.

He said the Wagah border should be opened for trade. “Our people have been in jail for 30 years, which is too long, and the central government should release them. The government has released many people early. Why differentiate between Hindus and Sikhs?”

Kangana Ranaut Reacts

Responding to the SAD leader’s remarks, the BJP MP from Mandi said they will not be able to “suppress her voice”. Ranaut said, “Today I am also receiving rape threats. They will not be able to suppress my voice like this.”

Taking to microblogging site X, the BJP MP wrote, “It seems this country will never stop trivialising rape, today this senior politician compared getting raped to riding a bicycle no wonder rapes and violence against women for fun, are so deeply rooted in the psyche of this patriarchal nation that it is casually used to tease or mock a woman even if she is a high profile filmmaker or politician.”

On Wednesday, Ranaut admitted that she was reprimanded by her party, the BJP, over her remark on farmers’ protest. The Lok Sabha MP from Mandi said she was looking forward to being more careful with her words and aligning with the party’s policies.

The actor, who has received four National Film Awards for Queen, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Manikarnika- The Queen of Jhansi, and Panga, sparked a row over her remark claiming that farmers’ protests could have led to a “Bangladesh-like situation” if the central government had not taken strong measures.

However, the BJP distanced itself from her remark, saying she was neither permitted nor authorised to make statements on party policy issues.