New Delhi, July 28 — Amid a controversy over her social media post criticising the Gen Z, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday questioned the purported objectionable language used by the students and youth during the recent agitation over exam irregularities, asking whether they or their parents would be able to afford Supreme Court lawyers to fight possible court cases in the future?
Speaking to reporters within the Parliament premises, the actor-turned-politician said: "We have all been a part of student protests, but what kind of students are these, and what kind of obscene language are they using? In what way do they resemble students? If these individuals need Supreme Court lawyers or legal counsel in the future, will their parents be able to afford it?"
"They (student protesters) do not have the means to afford it themselves," she stated.
Further lashing out at the agitators, Ranaut said: "Even if we are trolled, we have been building our own careers since the age of sixteen. We have never been a burden on our parents. There are parents who are conservative. We know how the Indian society is, yet their daughters are using such filthy language. What respect will they (parents) have in society? What kind of adverse situations will they have to face? Do they (youngsters) even think about that? As a society, this is not acceptable to us in any way."
Earlier, the BJP MP described the Gen Z's social media content as “puke-inducing” and used strong language to denounce their conduct.
In a post on social media, Ranaut wrote: “Never in my life have I seen so much ugliness in one place. These reels from Gen Z protests are puke-inducing. The way they speak and the kind of language they are using… never in my life have I seen everything in each and every frame so jarring and so crass all at once.”
Ranaut's post drew sharp reactions from the Opposition, with leaders condemning the remarks.
Talking to IANS, NSUI member Sarvagya Yadav called Ranaut's post "completely inappropriate and one of the most disrespectful statements".
"We are the youth of this country—if we do not raise our voice, then who will? Calling young people 'disgusting' is a grave injustice in a democracy. Gen Z knows how to raise its voice and demand its rights. Kangana ji has always been known for making reckless remarks...Whether she speaks or not makes little difference. Whenever she doesn't get the limelight, she comes out with such baseless remarks," he said.
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav also criticised Ranaut, saying "Sadly, such a statement has been made by a Member of Parliament who comes from the film industry and has done very good work. We condemn such an insensitive statement."
JMM MP Mahua Maji said that the statement made by Kangana "does not reflect a healthy mindset".
"Such statements should not be paid heed to...her films are watched by the youth, now what will the youth think of her? Who will go to watch her films then? Moreover, I don't think this should be the language of a public representative," she told IANS.