kangana-s-slap-incident-exposes-political-divide

An incident involving Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, a newly elected MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, has triggered a massive controversy and exposed the deep divide in Indian society over political lines. 

 

Ranaut was slapped by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable at the Chandigarh airport on June 7. 

 

The "slap gate" also draws attention to the heavily politicised security services and personnel in the country. There was a time when the Indian security forces personnel followed one cardinal principle: they would not discuss politics.

 

That seems to have changed now. 

 

In July 2023, a Railway Protection Force jawan, identified as Chetan Singh, shot dead four people who were on a train near the Palghar railway station in Maharashtra. Among those killed were an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and three passengers – all Muslim men with beards – across nine carriages.

 

A purported video of Chetan Singh speaking to passengers while standing over Asghar’s (one of the victims) bloodied body went viral on social media. In the video, the RPF constable said:

 

“Pakistan se operate hue hain, tumhari media, yahi media coverage dikha rahi hai hai, pata chal raha hai unko, sab pata chal raha hai, inke aaqa hai wahan… Agar vote dena hai, agar Hindustan me rehna hai, toh mai kehta hoon, Modi aur Yogi, ye do hain, aur aapke Thackeray”

 

While this is a problem that India needs to address, the shift in the armed forces’ ethos from secularism to the majoritarianism that has afflicted the rest of India is more worrying. This also puts the onus on the intelligence agencies to identify people with political leanings who are placed on VIP and civilian duty. 

 

After the incident, Ranaut shared a video saying that she was fine. She concluded her remarks by asking how to handle increasing terrorism in Punjab. “My concern is about the increasing terrorism and insurgency in Punjab. How do we handle that?" she said in the video.

 

Shocking rise in terror and violence in Punjab…. pic.twitter.com/7aefpp4blQ

— Kangana Ranaut (Modi Ka Parivar) (@KanganaTeam) June 6, 2024

 

Ranaut gave a terrorism tag to Punjab over a slap, which caused further controversy, with some saying that her post-incident remarks were "hateful."

 

Her statement was targeted at the Khalistani insurgency in the West, especially in Canada, and separatist elements within the country. 

 

The increasing political influence of extremist factions in Punjab has raised concerns for mainstream political parties and security agencies. Although only two of the 12 individuals with sympathies for Khalistan who ran in the Lok Sabha elections were successful, their victories could potentially unite separatist organisations.

 

Amritpal Singh, the leader of 'Waris Punjab De', emerged victorious in the Khadoor Sahib constituency with a significant margin of 1,97,120 votes, the largest in the state.

 

On the other hand, Sarabjit Singh won from Faridkot by 70,053 votes.

 

Returning to the slap gate, ministers who make controversial statements and hurt the sentiments of the masses must also be examined. 

 

In recent times, India has witnessed an alarming increase in hate speeches across the nation. These distressing occurrences highlight a troubling pattern where individuals holding positions of political power tasked with the responsibility of governing the country seem to be actively fueling societal, religious, and cultural divisions.

 

Numerous instances involving ministers from various political factions collectively paint a disconcerting picture of politicians using their platforms to promote divisive narratives, often targeting religious and ethnic minorities.

 

Rather than fostering unity and inclusivity, these leaders seem to fuel the escalation of communal tensions.

 

The influence of political leaders in shaping public discourse is profound, and these recent events emphasise the crucial role of responsible leadership in preserving social harmony and upholding democratic values in India.

 

Ranaut’s controversial remark that triggered the slap gate was posted on X, on November 27, 2020. It read:

 

"Ha ha ha she is the same dadi who featured in TIME magazine for being the most powerful Indian... And she is available in 100 rupees. Pakistani journos have hijacked international PR for India in an embarrassing way. We need our own people to speak for us internationally." 

 

 

Her statement triggered considerable backlash and condemnation, leading to a heated exchange on social media between Ranaut and actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh. Dosanjh criticised Ranaut for disseminating misinformation and urged her to cease fueling tensions.

 

She later deleted the post after facing widespread criticism. She was served several legal notices demanding an unconditional apology for her derogatory remark.

 

But Ranaut’s relationship with controversial remarks is old. In 2021, she faced backlash for her controversial comments when global pop sensation Rihanna brought attention to the farmer protests with a tweet. 

 

This resulted in a strong reaction from Ranaut, who labelled Rihanna as a "fool" and referred to the protesters as "terrorists" aiming to divide India, alleging that they were making the country vulnerable to Chinese influence.

 

Rihanna's tweet received widespread acclaim for spotlighting the protests, while Ranaut’s aggressive response attracted criticism. Many individuals encouraged Ranaut to emulate Rihanna's bravery in addressing important societal issues.

 

After the incident, while a faction of Bollywood celebrities and ministers supported Ranaut and criticised Kaur’s actions, farmer outfits threw their weight behind the CISF personnel.

 

They said the entire sequence leading to the incident needs to be properly investigated.

 

The recent incident has exemplified the growing political and social rifts in India. Ranaut's controversial comments about the farmer protests and her subsequent confrontation with Kaur, whose mother was a protester, have underscored the deep-seated tensions between various segments of society. 

 

Her provocative remarks about the farmer protests and the Punjabi community have not only divided public opinion but also unveiled the influence of politics within the security forces. 

 

This incident vividly showcases the country's fracturing social fabric and escalating strife over political and cultural matters.