BJP distances itself from Kangana Ranaut’s remarks on repealed farm laws

Kangana Ranaut purportedly said “Farm laws that have been repealed should be brought back”

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has distanced itself from a statement made by its MP Kangana Ranaut related to the previously repealed farm laws, stating that she is not permitted to make such statements on the party’s behalf.

Also Read: Kangana Ranaut withdraws remark calling for bringing back farm laws, expresses regret 

Ms. Ranaut had told the media: “I know this statement could be controversial, but the three farm laws should be brought back. Farmers themselves should demand it.” Her statement triggered sharp reactions on social media platforms.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia then stepped in, clarifying that the actor-turned-politician’s remarks were her personal views and that they did not reflect the party’s position on the issue. “On social media platforms, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s statement on the farm bills that were withdrawn by the Central govt. is going viral. I want to make it clear that this statement is a personal statement of hers. Therefore, we disapprove of this statement,” he said.

“Kangana Ranaut is not authorised to make such a statement on behalf of the BJP, and it doesn’t depict the BJP’s view on the farm bills. We disapprove of this statement,” he added.

Earlier, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja had targeted Ms. Ranaut saying: “I think she is mentally unstable. Some people are accustomed to creating controversy, and the BJP benefits from her statements. She talks about farmers, Punjab, the Emergency, and Rahul Gandhi. There are other MPs who never make such remarks.”

The Congress on Tuesday (September 24, 2024) cited Ms. Ranaut’s purported remarks on farm laws to allege that the ruling party was making efforts to bring back the three laws that were repealed in 2021, and asserted that Haryana will give a befitting reply to it.

“Farmers are a pillar of strength in India’s progress. Only in some States, do they object to farm laws. I appeal with folded hands that farm laws should be brought back in the interest of farmers.” In a post in Hindi along with the video, the Congress said, “The three black laws imposed on farmers should be brought back: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has said this. More than 750 farmers of the country were martyred, only then did the Modi government wake up and these black laws were withdrawn.” Now BJP MPs are planning to bring back these laws, the Congress alleged.

“The Congress is with the farmers. These black laws will never return, no matter how hard Narendra Modi and his MPs try,” the opposition party said on X.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also shared the video of Ms. Ranaut on X and said, “’All three farm laws should be brought back: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut. More than 750 farmers were martyred while protesting against the three black farmer laws. Efforts are being made to bring them back.” “We will never let that happen. Haryana will answer first,” she said in an apparent reference to the assembly polls in Haryana.

Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera also shared the video on X and said it was the BJP’s “real thinking”.

“How many times will you deceive the farmers, you two-faced people?” Mr. Khera said in a post in Hindi.

Last month, the BJP had distanced itself from Ms. Ranaut’s statement on farmers’ protests which had led to the repeal of farm laws. She was asked to refrain from making such statements in the future. “The statement made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut in the context of the farmers’ movement is not the opinion of the party. Bharatiya Janata Party expresses disagreement with the statement made by Kangana Ranaut. On behalf of the party, Kangana Ranaut is neither permitted nor authorised to make statements on party policy issues,” the BJP had said.

My views on farm laws personal, don’t represent party’s stand: Ms. Ranaut

Facing backlash over her remarks calling for bringing back the farm laws that were repealed in 2021, Ms. Ranaut on Wednesday said her views on the contentious legislations were “personal” and do not represent the party’s stand.

In a post on X, Kangana wrote, “My views on Farmers Laws are personal and they don’t represent the party’s stand on those Bills.” Speaking at an event in Mandi district on Tuesday, the actor-politician said the three farm laws faced protests only in some States.

“In the last few days, the media asked me some questions on farmers’ law and I suggested that the farmers should request PM Modi to bring back the farmers’ law. Many people are disappointed and disheartened by my statement. When the farmers’ law was proposed, many of us supported it but our Prime Minister withdrew it with great sensitivity and sympathy.

“And it is the duty of all of us workers to respect the dignity of his words. I also have to keep this in mind. I am not an artist. I am a worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party and my opinions should be the party’s stand instead of being my own. So if I disappoint anyone with my words and my thinking, I will be sorry and I take my words back,” said Ms. Ranaut on Wednesday 

The three laws— Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act; The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act— were repealed in November 2021.

The farmers’ protest started at the fag-end of November 2020 and ended after Parliament repealed the three laws. The legislations came into force in June 2020 and were repealed in November 2021.

Published - September 25, 2024 09:12 am IST