Simranjit Singh Mann, a prominent pro-Khalistan politician and leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), has ignited a major controversy with a derogatory comment directed at actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut. The former Member of Parliament made the remark following Kangana’s statement alleging that rapes occurred during the farmers’ protests.
During an interview on August 29, Mann stated, “I don’t want to say this, but Kangana Ranaut has a lot of experience with rape, and you can ask her how rape happens so that it can be explained to people. The same way people learn riding a bicycle, they have the experience of riding a bicycle. She has a similar experience of rape.”
Kangana Ranaut, the BJP MP from Mandi, took to social media to express her outrage over Mann’s statement, accusing him of trivializing the sensitive issue of rape. She posted on X (formerly Twitter), “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.”
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, is so deep rooted in the psyche of this patriarchal nation that it is casually used to tease or… pic.twitter.com/ZHHWPEXawq
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) August 29, 2024
The BJP leader further added, “I am getting rape threats also that Kangana knows how rape happens. It is like a rape threat, but he cannot suppress my voice like this.”
She also stated, “They are trying to suppress an artist and my creative liberty for the film.”
Renu Bhatia, Chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, also condemned Mann’s remarks, calling them “an insult to our daughters.” Bhatia demanded that Mann issue an apology within five days.
The controversy erupted shortly after Kangana made remarks during a promotional event for her upcoming film Emergency. She praised the Union government for its handling of the farmers’ protests, drawing parallels to the violence during the Bangladesh Liberation War. “What happened in Bangladesh, it could have easily happened here too. Bodies were seen hanging, and rapes were taking place,” she said, referencing the criminal incidents reported during the protests.
Since then, Kangana has faced multiple threats regarding her film and comments on the agitation. Some individuals, identified as “influencers,” have threatened physical harm or legal action against her, while others hinted she might share the fate of Indira Gandhi.
Simranjit Singh Mann’s remarks have sparked widespread condemnation, prompting the Punjab State Women’s Commission to take notice. The commission has demanded an explanation for the offensive statements, underscoring the seriousness of the matter and the impact of such remarks on the ongoing discourse around women’s safety and respect in India.
