Kangana Ranaut assaulted at airport by CISF constable

NEN DELHI: Newly elected BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut was allegedly slapped by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable at Chandigarh airport over “disrespecting farmers,” authorities said. Ranaut, who won the Lok Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, was about to board a flight to Delhi when the incident occurred, Indian media reported.

The constable, identified as Kulwinder Kaur, has been suspended, and a first information report (FIR) has been filed against her. According to sources, Kaur allegedly slapped Ranaut and accused her of “disrespecting farmers,” referring to Ranaut’s controversial remarks during the 2020-21 farmers’ protests.

Mobile footage shows Ranaut being escorted by security officers towards the security check-in, where she is seen talking to CISF personnel. The CISF Commandant has taken note of the incident and is questioning Kaur, India media quoted sources as saying.

Upon landing in Delhi, Ranaut did not speak to reporters.

Also read: Kangana Ranaut hits back at ‘beef’ rumours

Earlier in the day, she posted a photo on Instagram with the caption, “On my way to parliament. Mandi ki sansad.”

In a video statement on X later in the evening, Ranaut said she is safe but expressed concern about rising terrorism in Punjab.

“I am safe. I am perfectly fine. The incident happened at the security check-in. The woman guard waited for me to cross and then hit me, throwing expletives. She said ‘I support farmers’. I am safe, but my concern is terrorism is rising in Punjab. How do we handle that?” Ranaut said.

The constable, Kaur, said she was upset with Ranaut over her “100 rupee” statement during the farmers’ protest. “She had given a statement that the farmers are sitting there for 100 rupees. Will she go and sit there? My mother was sitting there and protesting when she made this statement,” Kaur said.

In December 2020, Ranaut had posted the “IR100” comment on X, suggesting an elderly woman at the protest could be hired for 100.

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee’s chief Manjinder Singh Sirsa had demanded an “unconditional apology” from Ranaut, who later deleted the post.

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