Sharp exchanges in Himachal Vidhan Sabha over Kangana Ranaut’s remarks against farmers’ protest

Shimla, August 27

The House today witnessed sloganeering and heated exchanges between the treasury benches and the opposition members as remarks made by Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut on the farmers agitation echoed in the Vidhan Sabha on the opening day of the monsoon session.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan moved a resolution condemning the remarks by Kangana. “The remarks by Kangana is an insult of the farmers of the entire country. The opposition has left the house but we wanted to know the stand of the BJP on the issue,” he said. The BJP has also washed its hands off her remarks by stating that she is not authorised to speak, he said.

Chauhan said it was very unfortunate to call farmers as rapists and terrorists. “The House must hold a debate on this and condemn these kind of objectionable remarks against farmers who feed the entire country,” he said. He sought the stand of the BJP on Kangana’s remarks after the opposition returned to the House after staging a walk out.

As BJP MLAs objected to the issue being raised in the House, the ruling party legislators too were on their feet. There was counter sloganeering as Speaker tried to pacify both sides.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Pathania said the House was condemning the objectionable remarks by the Mandi MP. “They (opposition) are also part of the BJP leadership so they agree with the stand of the BJP leadership,” he said. Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said a debate on a person, who cannot defend himself in the House, cannot be held. “Our party has condemned the issue so it should not be politicised or raised in the House,” he said.

Revenue Minister Jagat Negi said the highly objectionable comments by her can create a serious law and order situation in the state. “Rather, I request the CM to get a case registered against the Mandi MP so that there is no law and order situation in the state after she insulted the farmers,” he said.

Supporting the resolution moved against Kangana’s remarks, Theog MLA Kuldeep Rathore said 700 farmers had lost their lives in the agitation. “The reaction of the opposition shows that they too support Kangana’s remarks on the farmers,” said Rathore.

Request CM to lodge fir against her

I request the Chief Minister to get a case registered against the Mandi MP so that there is no law and order situation in the state after she insulted the farmers. — Jagat Negi, Revenue Minister