Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, currently contesting as the BJP candidate from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh, has vehemently denied allegations made by a Congress leader that she once consumed beef. Ranaut, a self-proclaimed “proud Hindu,” dismissed the accusations as “completely baseless rumors.”
Addressing the controversy, Ranaut emphasized her adherence to a yogic and Ayurvedic lifestyle and stated that such tactics to tarnish her image would not succeed. She firmly asserted her Hindu identity and expressed confidence in the support of her followers, stating, “My people know me, and they know that I am a proud Hindu, and nothing can ever mislead them. Jai Shri Ram.”
The allegations against Ranaut arose after Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar claimed that she had previously tweeted about her preference for beef, insinuating that her candidacy for the Lok Sabha elections was hypocritical given her purported dietary choices. Wadettiwar’s remarks were met with strong criticism from several BJP leaders, who condemned them as reflective of the Congress party’s “dirty culture.”
The timing of this controversy coincides with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024, where Ranaut is pitted against Vikramaditya Singh, a minister in the Himachal Pradesh government, who is speculated to be the Congress party’s candidate for the Mandi parliamentary constituency. The electoral battleground in Mandi holds significance as it is currently represented by Pratibha Singh, Vikramaditya’s mother and the incumbent Member of Parliament.
In addition to the beef-eating allegations, Ranaut has been embroiled in other political controversies, including a recent dispute with Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate. The exchange between the two escalated when Shrinate shared a derogatory post about Ranaut on social media, prompting a sharp response from the actor, who demanded respect for every woman’s dignity.
Ranaut’s assertion of her Hindu identity and refutation of the beef-eating allegations underscore the intersection of religion and politics in India’s electoral landscape. As the campaign season intensifies, controversies like these highlight the challenges faced by candidates as they navigate through political rivalries and attempts to tarnish their public image.
