On 8th November 2021, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut got a Padma Shri Award. She was felicitated by President Ram Nath Kovind . For those who don’t know, Padma Shri Award is the fourth-highest civilian award in India. The award distribution ceremony took place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi.
After receiving the award, Kangana took to her Instagram to share her views on the same. Check out her video here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CWAeiqRFUty/?utm_medium=share_sheet
At the TimesNow Summit 2021, Kangana Ranaut made comments that kicked off a controversy on the Internet. She said that India attained freedom in 2014 when the Modi-led government came to power. Further, she described that the country’s Independence in 1947 was a “bheek”.
Her controversial statement led to outrage from many politicians, academicians, and historians. Consequently, many requested the Centre to take strict actions against her and take back of her Padma Shri award.
On Saturday, she kept the discussion going. Ranaut explained, “As far as Aazadi in 2014 concerned I specifically said physical Aazadi we may have but consciousness and conscience of India was set free in 2014… a dead civilization came alive and fluttered its wings and now roaring and soaring high…”
In the above statement, Kangana explained that India ‘gained’ freedom in 2014. However, there are some BJP Leaders who demanded action to be taken against the actress.
Posting on her Instagram stories, Kangana posed a series of questions. She wrote,” Nationalism rose so did right-wing… but why it died a sudden death? And why did Gandhi let Bhagat Singh die… why did Neta Bose was killed and never got Gandhi Ji’s support? Why a line of partition was drawn by a white man? Instead of celebrating freedom, why do Indians kill each other? Some of the answers I am seeking please help me find answers.”
In addition to that, she clearly mentioned that if anyone proves her wrong, she is willing to return her Padma Shri Award. Ranaut also said that if anyone in the Times Now interview can prove that she disrespected martyrs and freedom fighters of India in any way, then also she will return her award.
On Friday, Times Now issued a statement on Twitter. They wrote, “#KanganaRanaut may think India got Independence in 2014 but this cannot be endorsed by any true Indian. This is an insult to millions of freedom fighters who gave up their lives so that present generations can live a life of self-respect & dignity as free citizens of a democracy”