Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has sparked a fresh political controversy after strongly criticising Gen Z participants in the recent student protests held in New Delhi. Sharing a series of posts on her Instagram Stories, she described viral videos from the demonstrations as “puke-inducing” and accused the protesters of spreading “filth, garbage, and ugliness.”
Her remarks came days after the nationwide protests over the NEET-UG paper leak, which drew large crowds of students demanding accountability.
Says protest videos left her disturbed
In one of her Instagram Stories, Kangana said watching the protest videos had emotionally exhausted her and made her feel the need for a break from social media.
“Never in my life have I seen so much ugliness in one place. These reels from Gen Z protests are puke-inducing. The way they speak and the kind of language they are using… Never in my life have I seen everything in each and every frame so jarring and so crass all at once. Ewwww,” she wrote.
She further questioned the upbringing of the protesters, writing, “Who is birthing and raising them? India is a place of diversely beautiful people, draped in elegance and rooted in cultural sophistication. You call yourself cockroaches and look/behave like them as well.”
“Need some healing, digital detox”
Continuing her criticism, Kangana said the protest videos had deeply affected her.
“There is no paradox or juxtaposition there, just simply subjecting the world to your filth, garbage and ugliness. I am scarred from these reels, need some healing, digital detox,” she posted.
In another Instagram Story, she also alleged, “Sixty metric tonnes of waste thrown by CJP at Jantar Mantar after protest.”
Background of the student movement
The protests were organised over the NEET-UG paper leak issue and reached a high point on July 20 during the Chalo Sansad March in New Delhi. The march was met with police action, and videos of the handling of student protesters attracted attention both in India and internationally.
The demonstrations later spread to several parts of the country. Following the developments, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. After his resignation, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced that it was ending the protest campaign.
AIMIM demands apology from Kangana
Kangana’s comments drew criticism from opposition leaders. AIMIM leader Waris Pathan condemned her choice of words and demanded that she apologise to the younger generation.
“If Kangana Ranaut has used such words, then it is highly condemnable. Ask her if she even knows the full form of NEET. She wouldn’t know. She should apologise to the entire Gen Z. PM Modi should take cognisance of the kind of language his MPs use for Gen Z,” Pathan said.
He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take note of the language used by BJP MPs while referring to student protesters.
Congress leader dismisses her political remarks
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat also criticised Kangana’s statements and questioned her political credibility.
Speaking to ANI in New Delhi, Bhagat said, “I would certainly like to say two things: as far as her political remarks are concerned, no one takes Kangana Ranaut seriously, which is precisely why she has been a figure of ridicule from the very beginning…”