Kulvinder Kaur, a CISF Constable, was suspended and arrested after allegedly slapping actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport on Thursday. The incident stemmed from a heated altercation over Ranaut’s 2020 comment about farmers’ protests, which Kaur claimed disrespected her mother.
In a defiant statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Kaur declared, “I am not afraid of losing this job… I am ready to lose thousands of such jobs for my mother’s respect.”
The confrontation occurred while Ranaut, who represents Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi constituency, was waiting to board a flight to Delhi. Kaur accused Ranaut of making derogatory remarks about farmers, referencing a tweet from 2020 in which Ranaut implied that protesting farmers were paid to demonstrate.
Ranaut’s controversial tweet, which she later deleted, targeted an elderly woman participating in the protests and suggested she was “available for ₹100.” This comment, among others, fueled public outrage and has continued to provoke strong reactions from supporters of the farmers’ movement.
Video footage of the incident shows Ranaut being escorted to a check-in counter at the airport, where an altercation with Kaur ensued. Although the video does not show the moment of the alleged slap, witnesses reported seeing the incident.
Ranaut, initially silent, later condemned the altercation, describing it as an example of “terrorism rising in Punjab.” She recounted, “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?”
Kaur, now under investigation, highlighted her mother’s involvement in the 2020 farmers’ protests against the Modi government’s farm laws. “She (Ranaut) gave a statement… farmers are sitting for ₹100. Will she go and sit? My mother was sitting and protesting when she said this,” Kaur stated.
The farmers’ protests, which began in 2020, drew widespread attention and criticism of the government, leading to significant political repercussions in agrarian states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The protests have been a point of contention, with Ranaut frequently clashing with supporters of the movement.
In response to the incident, farmer groups, including the non-political wing of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, have expressed support for Kaur and called for a thorough investigation. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a leader of the SKM (non-political), emphasized the need for justice and transparency, citing reports that Kaur had requested to examine Ranaut’s handbag and mobile phone before the altercation.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini confirmed that an inquiry is underway, stating, “Action will be taken against the accused. It is sad a security person is involved in this. Whatever happened was wrong.”
The incident has reignited debates surrounding the farmers’ protests and Ranaut’s outspoken stance on the issue. Ranaut, known for her controversial comments, previously made headlines in February 2021 when she called international pop star Rihanna a “fool” for supporting the protests. That tweet, too, was later deleted.
Sources By Agencies
