Calls to arrest Kangana Ranaut over remarks on Independence struggle

Kangana Ranaut's remarks on the Independence struggle of 1947 have drawn the ire of several political parties who have demanded that her Padma Shri award be withdrawn and a case of sedition be lodged against the Bollywood actress. Ranaut's speech at the Times Now Summit in Delhi sparked controversy after she alleged that India only achieved real freedom after the election of the BJP in 2014 and compared the freedom achieved before that to 'alms' from the British.

"Shocking and outrageous. Ms Kangana Ranaut's statement heaping insult on the courageous freedom fighters led by Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru and Sardar Patel but also belittling the sacrifices of revolutionaries like Sardar Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekar Azad and several others," tweeted Anand Sharma, Congress leader. He also requested that her Padma Shri be revoked and a "psychiatric evaluation" be carried out for future awardees to avoid this kind of issue.

After her comments, national executive chairman of the Aam Aadmi Party Preethi Menon has filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police seeking an FIR against Kangana.

"We strongly condemn actress Kangana Ranaut's statement (India got freedom in 2014). She insulted freedom fighters. Centre must take back the Padma Shri from Kangana & arrest her," said National Congress party leader and Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik, who alleged that the actress was under the influence of drugs when she made those remarks.

Maharashtra BJP Chief Chandrakant Patil has also come out to criticise the actress, remarking that although she had every right to praise the Narendra Modi government, making inflammatory statements about the Independence struggle and its participants was unnecessary and uncalled for.

Ranaut also hit back at critics through social media, telling Varun Gandhi to "go cry some more" after the BJP leader had accused her of making treasonous statements.

"Even though I clearly mentioned that 1857 freedom fight was the first revolution that was curbed… which led to more atrocities and cruelties from the British and almost a century was given to us in Gandhi's begging bowl," she wrote.