New Delhi: Actor Kangana Ranaut Saturday announced that she has tested positive for Covid-19, but was dismissive about the threat the virus posed.
“…it is nothing but a small time flu which got too much press,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
The actor’s reaction came at a time when the country’s health infrastructure has been stretched to its limits, with critical Covid patients struggling to find oxygen beds and basic medical aid.
Ranaut took to her Instagram account and in the caption of a picture of hers, she wrote that she “had no idea this virus is having a party in my body”. “Now that I know I will demolish it, people please don’t give anything any power over you, if you are scared it will scare you more, come let’s destroy this Covid-19,” she said.
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Criticism over insensitivity
Ranaut’s response was widely criticised on social media as being tone deaf and insensitive.
People like Kangana Ranaut have the audacity to call Covid 19 a "small time flu" while getting the best medical care out there.
— Shreemi Verma (@shreemiverma) May 8, 2021
The first few days do seem like a "small time flu" but I hope Ms Ranaut is spared the hell it unleashes from the 4th/5th day. #KanganaRanaut
— Tulika Dubey (@tulikaD) May 8, 2021
“The actor termed the virus a “small-time flu” which has gotten too much press” maybe she can become advisor to the Principal Scientific Advisor #kanganaRanaut
— ratna_rajaiah (@alphabetiya) May 8, 2021
On Friday, India reported 4,187 Covid deaths and 4.01 lakh fresh cases. So far, the country has seen over 2.38 lakh deaths and over 2 crore cases.
This isn’t the first time Ranuat has drawn criticism for her opinion. This week, her Twitter account was suspended permanently following her remarks on the post-poll violence in West Bengal. In a tweet Monday, the actor called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his “Viraat roop” from the early 2000’s to “tame” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Following her account’s suspension, an FIR was also filed against her for allegedly spreading hate propaganda and inciting communal violence in West Bengal.
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