New Delhi: Actor Kangana Ranaut on Monday, in an Instagram video, asked why Hindu women often face criticism for defending or embracing Hinduism.
The actor-turned-politician was heading to Parliament when she reflected on her interactions with women from the film industry. The BJP MP said that actors many do not identify with a particular political ideology or religious section.
“Your Constitution also gives you this freedom to adopt a secular ideology,” she said, adding that she has no objection to people choosing that path.
However, she argued that the situation changes when someone decides to publicly defend Hinduism.
“When it comes to defending Hinduism… today if I defend it, if I boycott item numbers or commercial films, or raise my voice against nepotism,” she added.
“How can people tell me that you used to be a moderate Hindu, but now that you’re defending it, there is so much hatred,” Ranaut added.
The actor also shared that she has been labelled a “Sanghi” and told that her views reflected the ideology of the ruling BJP.
“We were moderate Hindus, but today I am challenged with questions like, ‘Since when did you become a Sanghi?’ I was labelled a Sanghi; I was told it’s BJP’s ideology,” the actor recalled.
Questioning the criticism, Ranaut asked why a person cannot undergo a personal transformation or become more spiritually aware.
“What if I want to become awakened? What if I want to convert? May I ask, why is this societal attitude reserved when it comes to Hindu daughters,” she added.
The actor went on to say that society often judges Hindu women based on their past, recalling the people who are calling her out about her past lifestyle.
“Ten years ago, you used to party, you did this, you did everything,” she questioned why that history should prevent someone from embracing a different way of life.
Toward the end of the video, Ranaut shared that if she wants to transform and is becoming a defined, awakened Hindu, and why that path is closed for her, and people are questioning her.
“If today I want to transform and become a defined, awakened Hindu, why is that path closed for me? Why can’t I walk on it? I just feel that our daughters should also have the freedom that if they want to transform into defined and disciplined Hindus, why not?”
The actor has been outspoken in her views. Recently, she called the Gen Z protesters at Jantar Mantar “gutter chap”. She has previously also called them the “Generation Gutter.”
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)