Kangana Ranaut Sides With Yogi Adityanath On Caste Census, Congress Takes Potshots

Following Kangana Ranaut's public opposition to a caste census in India, the Congress party slammed the actor-turned-politician, arguing that her upper caste background and privileged status prevent her from understanding the challenges faced by backward communities.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate took to X to express her disapproval, saying, "Today, BJP MP Kangana said again, 'There should be no caste census at all.' 'Why should there be one? Why determine caste? There is nothing like caste around me.' Madam, you are an upper caste, wealthy, a star, and an MP. How would you know the condition of a Dalit, backward, tribal, or poor General Caste individual? Do listen to the full statement. And now, Modi ji, break your silence. If not to us, then at least tell your allies JDU and LJP's Chirag Paswan your stance."

In an interview with The Lallantop, Kangana Ranaut expressed her stance against the caste census, aligning herself with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's views.

She stated, "My position is the same as Yogi Adityanath's. 'Saath rahenge nek rahenge, batenge to katenge' (Stay together, remain good. If we are divided, we will be destroyed)."

She also questioned the need for a caste census, arguing, "There should be no caste census. We don't even know the caste of actors. Nobody knows anything. The people around me don't care about caste. Why determine it now? We didn't do it before, so why do it now?"

Kangana also highlighted the rising violence against women in the country, asserting that women are a marginalisd group that requires upliftment based on their gender, not caste.

She said, "Bas Bas 3 jaatiya hain, gareeb, kissan aur mahilayein. Iske ilawa chauthi koi jaat he nahi honi chahaye (There are only three castes, poor, farmers, and women. There should be no fourth caste)."

Shrinate suggested that Kangana's views reflect the BJP's official stance, especially in light of her apparent indifference to recent reprimands from the party over her comments on farmers' issues, reported Hindustan Times.

Kangana's remarks have also sparked controversy in her home state of Himachal Pradesh, where the state assembly, led by the Congress, adopted a resolution condemning her comments about the farmers' protests.

In a clip shared from an interview with Dainik Bhaskar, Kangana had suggested that India narrowly avoided a "Bangladesh-like situation" thanks to strong leadership, while alleging that bodies were hanging and rapes were occurring during the farmers' protests against the now-repealed farm laws.

She further claimed that foreign powers like China and the US were involved in a "conspiracy" related to the protests.

These remarks led to heated exchanges in the Himachal Pradesh assembly, culminating in the adoption of a resolution condemning Kangana's statements, particularly in a state where thousands of farmers had participated in the prolonged agitation against the farm laws.