Shimla. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday withdrew her statement demanding the repeal of the agricultural laws repealed in 2021 and said that these views are ‘personal’ and do not reflect the party’s stand. Kangana, who came into politics from acting, said that she should remember that she is no longer only an artist but also a BJP member and her statement should be in line with the policies of her party.
He said that he may have disappointed many people with his statement on controversial laws and he regrets that.
The Himachal Pradesh unit of the BJP has also distanced itself from the statement of Mandi MP Ranaut. Ranaut wrote on the social media platform ‘X’, “My views on the farmers’ laws are personal and do not reflect the party’s stand on these bills.” She also released a video statement on ‘X’ in which she said, “When the farmers’ laws were proposed, many of us supported them. But with great sensitivity and sympathy, our respected Prime Minister withdrew those laws.”
She said, “I must remember that I am not just an artist now, but also a member of the BJP and my views should not be personal but should reflect the party’s stance.” Ranaut said in this 68-second video, “If I have disappointed anyone with my words and views, then I take back my words.” She had said at an event in Mandi on Tuesday that these three agricultural laws were opposed only in a few states.
She had said, “Farmers are the pillars of India’s progress. They opposed the agricultural laws only in a few states. I appeal with folded hands that these agricultural laws be withdrawn in the interest of the farmers.” She had said that the country is on the path of progress and the restoration of agricultural laws will ensure better financial stability and development of farmers and ultimately benefit the agriculture sector.
The Congress alleged that these statements are an indication that the ruling party is trying to bring back these three laws. It said that Haryana will give a befitting reply to it.
Kangana Ranaut’s statement comes at a time when political parties are preparing for the Haryana assembly elections to be held on October 5. There was a huge demonstration of farmers in Haryana, especially on the borders of Delhi, who were demanding the repeal of these laws. After the protest of the farmers, three agricultural laws – Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Agricultural Services Act; and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act – were repealed in November 2021.
The farmers’ protest began in late November 2020 and ended after Parliament repealed the three laws. These laws came into force in June 2020 and were repealed in November 2021. Last month too, the BJP had to distance itself from a statement by Ranaut about the farmers’ protest. Ranaut had said that bodies were found hanging and rapes were committed during the protest against the agricultural laws. The BJP had condemned her statement and clarified that she was neither allowed nor authorized to comment on the party’s policy matters. The ruling party had then said in a statement, “The Bharatiya Janata Party has directed Kangana Ranaut not to make any such statement in future.”