Kangana Ranaut condemns ABP News report on Neha Singh Rathore, says defaming woman for TRPs shameful
BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has criticised ABP News over its report on Bhojpuri folk singer Neha Singh Rathore, saying that defaming a woman without basis to boost television ratings was shameful.
Responding to Rathore on X on Sunday, Kangana said that while she disagreed with the singer’s political views and statements, this did not justify allegedly tarnishing her reputation.
“Neha ji. Your political views and statements made from time to time are contrary to my political views and unacceptable to me. However, defaming any woman without basis for TRP is a very shameful thing. The head of ABP should take responsibility for this,” Kangana wrote in Hindi.
The controversy began after Rathore, a known critic of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, accused ABP News of carrying defamatory and factually incorrect content about her on its digital platforms.
In a post on X, Rathore alleged that the report portrayed her as a “call girl” and a “prostitute”. She questioned the channel’s conduct and said she would not allow the matter to end with the publication of the report.
Rathore also claimed that the channel was trying to attack her dignity after, according to her, the BJP’s IT cell had failed to silence her.
Following the allegations, ABP Network issued an apology on X, admitting that the report published on its digital platforms was factually incorrect. The network expressed regret over the error and apologised for the mistake.
Rathore, however, rejected the apology, saying that publishing allegedly defamatory content and later expressing regret could not undo the damage caused.
In another post, she said the report had affected her mental well-being and that she wanted justice rather than an apology. She also indicated that she would take the matter to court.
“Justice is what I want, not an apology,” Rathore wrote, adding that the issue would be pursued legally.
After ABP’s apology, Rathore tagged several BJP women leaders and lawmakers, seeking their response to the controversy.
Addressing Kangana, she acknowledged their differing political ideologies but appealed to their shared identity as women. Rathore asked the Mandi MP whether she had nothing to say about the incident and questioned whether women should remain silent when another woman’s dignity was allegedly targeted.
Kangana responded by condemning the alleged defamation, while reiterating that she did not agree with Rathore’s political views. She also demanded that the head of ABP take responsibility for the report.