Mumbai actress Kangana Ranaut’s comparison to Pakistani-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Thursday after Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told her not to return to Mumbai continued to elicit mixed reactions for the second day in a row.
Ranaut had criticized the Mumbai police claiming that attempts were being made to silence her because of her statements against the Bollywood drug mafia.
On Friday, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) jumped into the fray warning it not to criticize the Mumbai police, while Congress blamed the BJP IT cell for working behind the curtains on Ranaut’s behalf. Additionally, two actors, Renuka Shahane and Urmila Matondkar, criticized Ranaut and said their comparison was unjustified.
Ameya Khopkar, who heads the MNS Film Workers Union, said her team will not tolerate anything against the Mumbai police. “Today Mumbai is safe only thanks to the Mumbai Police, as women can travel even at midnight. We will not allow anyone to unfairly criticize the Mumbai police, ”Khopkar warned.
Congressional spokesman Sachin Sawant alleged that the entire campaign has been orchestrated by BJP’s TI cell.
“Ranaut is just one face, but the whole campaign is run by BJP’s TI cell to smear the state government,” Sawant said. He also demanded a narcoanalysis test from BJP lawmaker Ram Kadam for his defense of Ranaut.
“We also demand a narco test from Ram Kadam, who appears to have immense knowledge of drugs and vendors since the days of Vivek Moitra. We would also like to know BJP’s connection to drugs and who Sandeep Ssingh was talking to at @ BJP4Maharashtraoffice when he called there 53 times, ”Sawant said.
Ram Kadam dismissed Sawant’s attack, saying the real problem is attempts to pressure Ranaut. “I’m ready for a drug test whenever they want me. I have never hidden my connections to Bollywood. I organize the biggest Dahi Handi festival in Mumbai and all the movie stars including Shahrukh Khan come there. However, the problem here is trying to pressure Kangana and protect the Bollywood mafia, ”Kadam said.
Sanjay Raut, whose article in Saamana on Thursday asking Ranaut not to return to Mumbai had started the debate, said it is being given undue importance.
“If you have evidence from the drug mafia, you should present the evidence to the government or the police rather than just using social media,” Raut said.
In defending Ranaut, BJP lawmaker Ram Kadam called this a diversionary tactic.
Also read: Kangana Ranaut’s tweet comparing Mumbai to PoK generates controversy
“The whole attempt is to scare her out of exposing the Bollywood nexus. The Maharashtra government should remember that Kangana is Jhansi Ki Rani, ”Kadam said.
Actor Renuka Shahane tweeted “I am in favor of criticizing governments. But “why Mumbai feels like POK” strikes me as a direct comparison between Mumbai and POK. Your comparison was really in bad taste. Like Mumbaikar, I didn’t like it! Perhaps it was naive of me to expect better from you.
Also read: Kangana Ranaut blocks Kubbra Sait on Twitter, Sacred Games actor says’ Aiyo! I was silent the whole time ‘
Similar was the reaction of Urmila Matondkar.
“Maharashtra is the cultural and intellectual face of India… the land of the great Maharaj Shivaji. Mumbai has fed millions of Indians and given them Name Fame and Glory. Only ingrates can compare it to POK … Shocked and disgusted, ”Matondkar tweeted.
Also read: Kangana Ranaut responds when Renuka Shahane criticizes his comment on Mumbai: ‘Were you also waiting like a bloodthirsty vulture?
Throughout the day of Thursday, Ranaut was trending on Twitter with several people supporting and criticizing her.
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