Remember the farmers’ protest? And how Kangana Ranaut’s “100 rupees” comment got her into a fiery debacle? It highlights the incident when Kangana tweeted about the farmers’ protest and shared a photograph of Mahinder Kaur, an elderly farmer woman from Bhatinda. Ranaut, who’s known for her bold, unapologetic speeches, allegedly made a remark noting that women like Mahinder Kaur are available for 100 rupees.
Following this, Mahinder Kaur filed a defamation complaint against Kangana Ranaut back in January 2021. In 2022, a Bhatinda judicial court summoned Kangana Ranaut to appear. However, the national award-winning attempted to quash the complaint, but the high court intervened, showcasing a ‘no merit.’
Fast forward to today, Kangana Ranaut was finally granted bail after appearing before a court in Bhatinda. Kangana said that she had apologised for her remarks. Taking to social media, she said, “This is just a misunderstanding. I had only retweeted a meme and did not intend to hurt specifically anyone. I have already discussed the matter with Mahinder Kaur’s husband and apologised to him as she was not present today. During the farmers’ protest, several memes were being circulated, and one of them was retweeted by me inadvertently,” as quoted by The New Indian Express.
Kaur’s counsel, Raghbir Singh Behniwal, argued that, “Kangana Ranaut told the court that she had retweeted by mistake and not targeted anyone. But my client’s husband Labh Singh has said she has never apologised in the past. Kangana also moved an application seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance on security grounds, which we opposed.”
But does it end here? A figure like Kangana Ranaut, whose craft has been well-received over the years, needs to be responsible with her words and be violently kind. In a country like India, we often talk about free speech, giving democracy a front-row seat. I am no expert to draw any particular argument here, but it is about an understanding of texts vs conscience.
Free speech empowers you, uplifts you. But when it goes unchecked, as in Kangana Ranaut’s case, it summons the above brouhaha. To quote Nirma University, “In democracies, exercising one’s right to free speech also entails listening intently to others. Understanding, empathy, and effective communication all start with listening. People learn new things, challenge preconceptions, and promote inclusivity when they interact with people with different perspectives. It strengthens mutual regard and empathy, eradicating social differences and fostering social cohesion.”
Public sensitivity is something we need to keep in constant check. Otherwise, public outrage comes as an aftermath here—if you recall the incident when Kangana Ranaut got slapped at the airport by a CISF security official at Chandigarh Airport.
