Kangana Ranaut Calls CJP Women Protesters 'Gutter Class', Triggers Fresh Controversy

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and actress Kangana Ranaut has made sharp remarks about the youth, especially the women protesters, involved in the CJP (Cockroach Janata Party) student movement against the exam paper leak. Sharing a post on social media, Kangana described Gen Z as "Gen G" and said that many youth who claim independence are running away from responsibilities. After her statement, a new debate has erupted in social media and political circles. One side is calling it freedom of expression, while the other side has termed her comments objectionable.

What did Kangana Ranaut say?

Kangana Ranaut wrote in her Instagram story that real freedom is not achieved only by taking one's own decisions, but it is also necessary to carry responsibilities along with it. She claimed that women who are truly independent also take responsibility for their decisions and pursue careers on their own. On the contrary, she accused some protesting youth of trying to adopt an independent lifestyle without taking responsibility.

Why were women protesters targeted?

In her post, the BJP MP also raised questions on the behaviour and lifestyle of some women protesters involved in the movement. She said that the right to live an independent life is achieved through hard work and self-reliance and not by merely imitating it. Kangana also wrote that if a person calls himself completely independent while being dependent on his family, then that is not real freedom. There have been sharp reactions on social media regarding his comment.

Has Kangana commented on CJP before?

This is not the first time that Kangana Ranaut has commented on the CJP movement. Even before this, while reacting to the videos and pictures related to the movement, she had raised questions on the language, behaviour and method of protest of the protesters. She wrote in a post that he found some of the scenes seen during the movement uncomfortable and criticised the behaviour of the youth.

On which issue did the CJP movement start?

CJP had started the movement to protest against the incidents of examination paper leaks across the country. The main demand of the organisation was comprehensive reforms in the examination system including the resignation of the then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This movement continued for several days at Jantar Mantar and later reached other states also. After the government accepted some demands and change in political developments, the organisation announced withdrawal of its protest.

Why has the political discussion regarding the statement increased?

Kangana Ranaut's statement has come at a time when the Supreme Court is also hearing the student movement, police action and related matters. In such a situation, her comment has further intensified the political and social debate. Supporters say that Kangana has emphasised the sense of responsibility among the youth, while critics allege that such general remarks about the students and women involved in the movement are not appropriate. At present this statement remains the subject of widespread discussion on social media.