Kangana Ranaut Expresses Regret Over Her 2020 Farmers’ Protest Remarks

Kangana Ranaut Expresses Regret in Bathinda Court Over 2020 Farmers’ Protest Tweet

Bollywood actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Monday expressed regret before a Bathinda court over her controversial 2020 tweet in which she had misidentified an elderly woman farmer as Shaheen Bagh activist Bilkis Bano. Speaking to reporters outside the court, Ranaut clarified that the post in question was “a general meme” she had retweeted, not something she had written herself.

“I feel very nice after coming to Bathinda today. As you can see, a huge crowd has gathered to meet me. I have also sent a message to Mataji’s (the farmer activist’s) husband over the misunderstanding. I could never have imagined such a controversy,” the Mandi MP said.

When asked whether she accepted her mistake, Ranaut responded, “If you look closely, there was nothing original added by me. It was just a retweet of a meme. I also discussed this with Mahinder Kaur’s husband. At the time, there were protests all over the country, and someone had made a general comment. The controversy arose because of this. I have expressed regret over the misunderstanding.”

Advocate Raghubir Singh Beniwal, representing Mahinder Kaur, said Ranaut appeared before the court after being summoned, to secure bail and furnish the bond. “Inside the court, she said she wanted to apologise to the complainant as this was a misunderstanding. However, Mahinder Kaur was unwell today, so her husband appeared instead. He told the court he would discuss the matter with Kisan unions before deciding further,” Beniwal said.

The controversy dates back to December 2020, when Ranaut mistakenly identified farmer Mahinder Kaur as Shaheen Bagh protester Bilkis Bano in a since-deleted tweet, alleging the woman was “available for ₹100” to attend protests. The remark, made during the nationwide agitation against the Centre’s farm laws, sparked widespread outrage and led to a defamation case filed by Kaur.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court refused to quash the proceedings against Ranaut, observing, “You added spice. It was not a simple retweet.”

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for November 24, according to Kaur’s counsel.

Meanwhile, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Manjeet Rai said Ranaut should apologise in person to Mahinder Kaur. “Kangana apologised only after being summoned by the court. She should go to the woman’s house and apologise by touching her feet,” Rai said.