“The daughters of this country will not forgive you,” said Kangana Ranaut in a video message, addressed to Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut, who had allegedly made an abusive remark against her in an interview.
Stating that she has “full freedom of expression,” Kangana Ranaut said:
“I would never tire of praising Mumbai police earlier, but given the recent circumstances…I am allowed to criticise them.”
Further, referring to his mindset as “anti-women,” Ranaut wanted to know why his remarks were not directed at actors like Aamir Khan or Naseeruddin Shah.
Ranaut also asserted that Sanjay Raut is “not Maharashtra.”
The actor further said that Raut’s men had threatened that they will break her jaw and kill her. Saying that she will be returning to Mumbai on 9 September, Ranaut said:
“Your people are saying they will break my jaw, kill me, Then do it. This country’s soil is rich with the blood of many who sacrificed for the pride and dignity of the country. We will also give our blood, we also have to repay our debts.”
Ranaut to Get Y+ Security
However, Ranaut will be receiving Y+ security, which will be provided by the Centre. The detail will include one personal security officer, eleven policemen and commandos.
Previously The Times of India had reported that Ranaut will be getting protection from the Himachal Pradesh Police
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had reportedly said:
“Kangana Ranaut’s father has given in writing asking for police protection. I also spoke to her sister yesterday. The Director-General of Police has been directed in this regard and she will be provided security here. We are discussing what can be done to provide security to her outside the state as she is leaving for Mumbai on 9 September.”
According to NDTV, Sanjay Raut was asked if he would apologise to Ranaut for his abusive remark, Raut said:
“If that girl (Kangana Ranaut) will apologise to Maharashtra, then I will think about it (of apologising). She calls Mumbai a mini Pakistan. Does she have the courage to say the same about Ahmedabad?”
Background
After Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh asked Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut to ‘leave Mumbai’ over her jibe, Ranaut hit back comparing the ruling coalition to "Taliban."
This comes amid rigorous back and forth between the actor and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut. Here is what has happened so far:
The Tweet War
- Ranaut drew the ire of Shiv Sena after she tweeted asking for security from Haryana or central government and said she would not accept protection from Mumbai police, while exposing the alleged 'drug mafia' in Bollywood as a part of Sushant Singh Rajput death probe. A vocal supporter of PM Narendra Modi and the BJP, Ranaut has been attacking the ruling party in Maharashtra ever since Sushant Singh Rajput's death in June.
- Slamming the actor in Shiv Sena's mouthpiece 'Saamana', Raut wrote, "We kindly request her not to come to Mumbai. This is nothing but an insult to Mumbai police. The home ministry should take action over it." Ranaut is currently in her hometown in Himachal Pradesh.
- Ranaut responded with, "Sanjay Raut Shiv Sena leader has given me an open threat and asked me not to come back to Mumbai, after Aazadi graffitis in Mumbai streets and now open threats, why Mumbai is feeling like Pakistan occupied Kashmir?"
- Her tweet garnered condemnation from several politicians and actors who posted in solidarity with Mumbai and the city's police.
- After Anil Deshmukh's tweet, Kangana Ranaut said she will be coming back to Mumbai on 9 September and wrote, "I see many people are threatening me to not come back to Mumbai so I have now decided to travel to Mumbai this coming week on 9th September, I will post the time when I land at the Mumbai airport, kisi ke baap mein himmat hai toh rok le (stop me if you can)."
- Earlier, Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik also threatened her that if she comes back, "our warriors will break her mouth." He also demanded that a sedition case be filed against her.
‘BJP Stooge’: Protests, Threats Against Kangana Across Cities
- Meanwhile, Shiv Sena activists burned Ranaut's effigies in the city and suburbs, Thane, Palghar, Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik and other cities.
- In a sharp critique, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant accused the actor of acting as the "mouthpiece" of BJP's IT Cell, saying she has insulted the 13 crore people of Maharashtra, the 106 martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the state and Queen of Jhansi, Rani Laxmibai.
- "Devendra Fadnavis (Leader of Opposition) and MLA Ram Kadam are her mentors. If Kangana has information about drug peddlers, why doesn't she inform the central agencies? Why Sandip Singh made 53 calls to the BJP leaders must be probed," Sawant thundered.
- MNS Chitrapat Sena President Amey Khopkar slammed the actor and said "we are eagerly waiting to welcome her."
- Karni Sena spokesperson Ajaysinh Seng warned that if Kangana doesn't stop her "irresponsible diatribe" against Mumbai and Maharashtra, it would go and attack her film sets whenever she shoots.
BJP Distances Itself From Kangana’s Remarks
Caught unaware by the storm building up against the 33-year-old actor from Himachal Pradesh, the BJP washed its hands off the controversy.
"Kangana should not try to teach Mumbai, Mumbaikars and Maharashtra. Sanjay Raut should not attack us through Kangana Ranaut. The BJP has nothing to do with Kangana. Don't link us to her statements," BJP leader Ashish Shelar said.
Besides political leaders such as state Congress president and minister Balasaheb Thorat, Mumbai Congress chief Eknath Gaikwad, Sena MPs Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sawant and Priyanka Chaturvedi, several Bollywood and Marathi film personalities such as Urmila Matondkar, Riteish Deshmukh, Renuka Shahane and many others have slammed Kangana Ranaut for her comments.
(With inputs from IANS.)
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