BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has triggered a fresh political controversy after posting a series of strongly worded remarks on Instagram targeting what she described as "young Hindu women" and "Generation Gutter", drawing criticism from Opposition leaders amid the ongoing nationwide debate over the student protests linked to the alleged NEET paper leak.
Ranaut, who has consistently criticised the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student movement, used her Instagram Stories to accuse a section of young women of seeking independence without accepting responsibility.
"Most appalling is the behaviour of young Hindu women, who want to imitate the lives of independent career women without earning that freedom," she wrote.
The BJP MP argued that genuinely independent women make difficult choices and take responsibility for their actions, unlike what she described as a new generation of "westernised Indian women."
In another part of her post, Ranaut referred to them as "Generation Gutter", claiming they had "nothing to offer to the system" and accusing them of pursuing an irresponsible lifestyle while remaining financially dependent on their families.
"Independent life needs to be earned. If you try to live independently without accountability, you are just a distorted entity," she wrote.
The remarks quickly drew sharp reactions from political leaders.
AIMIM leader Waris Pathan demanded that Ranaut apologise for her comments, saying her language was unacceptable and urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take note of the BJP MP's remarks.
Congress leader Bhai Jagtap also criticised Ranaut, saying that instead of targeting young protesters, she should have expressed concern over the treatment meted out to students during the demonstrations.
The latest controversy comes against the backdrop of the nationwide protests that erupted following the alleged NEET examination paper leak. While several actors and public figures voiced support for the student movement, Ranaut has remained one of its most vocal critics.
Earlier, reacting to videos from the protests, she had described the demonstrations in harsh terms, writing that the footage was "puke-inducing" and questioning the conduct of the participants.
Following the CJP-led protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, Ranaut also alleged that "sixty metric tonnes of waste" had been left behind after the demonstration.
Speaking earlier about the 'Chalo Sansad' march, Ranaut had praised the Delhi Police for preventing protesters from reaching Parliament.
"All parliamentarians were inside the House. We were all scared, thinking that the mob might attack us. I appreciate Delhi Police for playing the role of a shield, not letting people get harmed," she had said.
The controversy unfolds amid heightened political tensions over the alleged NEET paper leak and the government's handling of the student protests. The demonstrations, which gained nationwide support from students and several prominent figures from the film industry, intensified calls for accountability and eventually culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
