Summary: Kulwinder Kaur, a CISF constable, has been suspended and arrested for allegedly slapping actor and newly-elected Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport. The incident was reportedly triggered by an old statement from Ranaut, which Kaur found disrespectful to farmers. Ranaut was on her way to board a flight to Delhi when the altercation occurred. The controversy stems from a 2020 remark by Ranaut, claiming that an elderly woman at a farmers’ protest was paid ₹100 to participate. Kaur, whose mother was part of the protest, confronted Ranaut at the airport. A video shows an argument but does not capture the slap. Ranaut later posted a video message on X, stating she was hit and expressing concerns about rising terrorism in Punjab.This incident is part of a series of controversies involving Ranaut’s comments on the farmers’ protest, which have previously led to backlash and heightened tensions.
Chandigarh: Kulwinder Kaur, a constable with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), has been suspended and arrested following an incident at Chandigarh airport where she allegedly slapped newly-elected Mandi MP and actor Kangana Ranaut. The altercation reportedly stemmed from an old statement made by Ranaut, which Kaur found disrespectful to farmers.
The incident occurred on Thursday as Ranaut was heading to board a flight to Delhi. According to sources, Kaur was incensed by a past remark from Ranaut regarding the farmers’ protest. “She gave a statement… that farmers are sitting there for ₹ 100. Will she go and sit there? My mother was sitting there and protesting when she gave this statement…,” Kaur stated, referencing the 2020 protests against three farm laws enacted by the central government.
Ranaut had previously sparked controversy by posting on social media that an elderly woman at a protest site was being paid ₹ 100 to participate. This comment, made during the peak of the nationwide farmers’ agitation, drew widespread criticism, leading the actor to eventually delete the post.
A video recorded by bystanders at the airport shows Ranaut being escorted to the security checkpoint, where the altercation occurred. The video, however, does not capture the alleged slap, only the ensuing argument and Ranaut being led away.
In response to the incident, Ranaut shared a video message on social media platform X, detailing her account. “The incident happened at the security check-in. The woman guard waited for me to cross. She then came and hit me… started throwing expletives. I asked (her) why she hit me. She said, ‘I support farmers’. I am safe… but my concern is terrorism is rising in Punjab. How do we handle that?” she said in the video.
This is not the first time Ranaut has faced backlash over her comments on the farmers’ protest. In February 2021, she responded to a post by singer Rihanna, who had shared a video of the protests with the caption, “Why aren’t we talking about this?” Ranaut’s retort labeled the protesters as “terrorists” and accused them of trying to divide India. She later deleted this post as well.
The farmers’ protest of 2020/21, which drew international attention, saw numerous posts from Ranaut criticizing the movement and questioning its legitimacy. Her comments often stirred controversy and heightened tensions. During her campaign, her convoy was even blocked by agitators in Chandigarh due to her remarks.
The CISF has taken swift action by suspending Kaur and filing a police case against her. This incident has once again brought the spotlight on the delicate relationship between public figures and social movements, highlighting the potential repercussions of controversial statements in the public sphere.
