Kangana Ranaut, Bharatiya Janata Party's MP from Himachal Pradesh, on Thursday apologised for her comments on the scrapped three farmers' laws. She said that she was "taking her words back" and apologised for hurting feelings.
She said she was no longer just an artiste, but was a member of a political party. "My opinions should not be my own. They should be the BJP's stand. If I have disappointed anyone with my words and opinion, I apologise. I take my words back."
Kangana Ranaut had on Tuesday appealed to farmers to demand the reintroduction of the three contentious farm laws, which were scrapped in 2021 after nationwide protests.
With barely two weeks left for the Haryana elections, Kangana Ranaut's remarks could dent the BJP's chances in the state, which was one of the epicentres of the protests. Soon after her remarks, the BJP quickly distanced itself from the comments. The BJP said that Kangana was "not authorised" to make such comments.
Earlier in August, Kangana sparked a similar controversy when she remarked that “bodies were seen hanging and rapes were taking place” during the farmers' protest. She also alleged that "foreign powers" and "vested interests" were responsible for prolonging the demonstrations despite the rollback of the laws.
She added, "What happened in Bangladesh, it could have easily happened here too. There is a conspiracy by foreign powers and these filmy people thrive on it. They don’t care if the country goes to the dogs."
Congress Slams Kangana, Challenges BJP On Farm Laws
The BJP was quick to distance itself from her remarks, saying: "The statement made by BJP MP Ms. Kangana Ranaut in the context of the farmers' protest does not reflect the party's stance. The Bharatiya Janata Party expresses its disagreement with her remarks. Ms. Kangana Ranaut is not authorised to speak on policy matters on behalf of the party and has not been given permission to do so. The BJP has directed Ms. Ranaut to refrain from making such statements in the future."
Kangana's remarks are coming at a time when the BJP is already troubled in Haryana. Her remarks rekindled the farm laws controversy and could be perceived as the BJP's "anti-farmers" stance. The Congress has already capitalised on her remarks, with Haryana MP Deepender Singh Hooda alleging that Kangana Ranaut said the time has come to implement the three agricultural laws. "BJP MP Kangana Ranaut says- The time has come to implement the three agricultural laws. If the BJP government is formed in Haryana, then these three black laws will be implemented. I challenge you... Congress government will be formed in Haryana and there is no power that can implement the three black laws again," Hooda said.