Kangana Ranaut derogatory post row: National Commission for Women demands action against Congress leaders

New Delhi, India

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has intervened in a recent political controversy involving two female political leaders in India. The controversy in question involves Congress leader Supriya Shrinate and actress Kangana Ranaut, who was recently announced as BJP's Mandi candidate for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

NCW pushes for strict action

The NCW, as per a news agency PTI report, on March 25, wrote to the Election Commission, demanding strict action against Shrinate and another Congress leader HS Ahir for their derogatory comments against Ranaut.

Also read | Kangana Ranaut addresses media for the first time since joining BJP: My birthplace has called me back

Rekha Sharma, the NCW chairperson, in a letter to the Election Commission of India, has demanded action against Shrinate and Ahir for their "disgraceful conduct".

In a post on X, the NCW said that it was "appalled by the disgraceful conduct of Ms. Supriya Shrinate and Mr. H.S. Ahir, who made lewd and derogatory remarks about @KanganaTeam on social media."

"Such behaviour is intolerable and goes against the dignity of women," it said, adding that the NCW chairperson "has sent a letter to the Election commissioner of India demanding an immediate and strict action against them."

"Let's uphold respect and dignity for all women. #RespectWomen," it added.

The controversy

The controversy stemmed from an Instagram post by Shrinate, which contained objectionable remarks about Ranaut. The post has since been removed from Shrinate's Instagram handle. 

Additionally, Ahir, the State joint coordinator of Kisan Congress, made derogatory remarks against the actress on social media platform X.

Ranaut, who is known for never shying away from controversy, has herself responded to the posts.

Posting a screenshot of Supriya Shrinate's Instagram post, she highlighted her diverse roles as an actress and emphasised the importance of dignity for all women. 

Also read | BJP, Kangana Ranaut slam Congress’ Supriya over objectionable post; ‘every woman deserves dignity’

She tweeted, "Dear Supriya ji, In the last 20 years of my career as an artist I have played all kinds of women. From a naive girl in Queen to a seductive spy in Dhaakad, from a goddess in Manikarnika to a demon in Chandramukhi, from a prostitute in Rajjo to a revolutionary leader in Thalaivii."

"We must free our daughters from the shackles of prejudices, we must rise above the curiosity about their body parts and above all we must refrain from using sex workers challenging lives or circumstances as some kind of abuse or slur… every woman deserves her dignity."

Shrinate, on the other hand, clarified that her Facebook and Instagram accounts are accessed by many people, and someone else made the inappropriate post and said that she deleted it "as soon as I came to know."

Likewise, posting a screenshot of HS Ahir's X post, Ranaut pointed out the glaring gender bias prevalent and said: "If a young man gets ticket his ideology is attacked if a young woman gets ticket her sexuality is attacked."

(With inputs from agencies)