Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has ignited a new political controversy with her recent comments against the Congress party. Addressing a public rally in Himachal Pradesh on Friday, the BJP Lok Sabha candidate accused the Congress government of “deliberate leniency” over the years, enabling Waqf boards to “illegally claim and occupy public and private land across the country.”
“Waqf Boards acted like parallel governments”
Ranaut, who is not known to mince words, didn’t hesitate. “Congress gave Waqf Boards unbridled powers. They functioned as parallel governments, grabbing lands that didn’t belong to them-even temples, private properties, even government lands. “This is not minority protection, this is a land grab,” she declared.
Her remarks were made amidst recent social media furor over reported encroachments attributed to different Waqf Boards in India. Right-wing organizations have raised the pitch of their calls for a countrywide audit of all Waqf properties in light of misuse and lack of transparency.
“Why is only one community being granted such unbridled rights?”
Ranaut asked how Waqf Boards that control Muslim religious properties, have been accorded special rights enjoyed by no other religious board. “Why is the Hindu community not as much in charge of temple lands as Waqf Boards are over their properties?” she wondered. “Why are other communities forbidden from appropriating land in the name of religion the way Waqf Boards are?”.
She also alleged that the Congress was resorting to appeasement politics in order to maintain its vote bank. This is not secularism. “This is selective favoritism, and it has damaged the nation’s unity,” she continued.
Opposition retaliates, terms it ‘divisive rhetoric’
Leaders in Congress have taken a swipe at Ranaut, labeling her statements “divisive and factually incorrect.” Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate stated, “Kangana Ranaut is doing what she was invited into politics for—spreading misinformation, dividing communities, and diverting the attention of people from actual issues such as inflation and unemployment.”
Kangana doubles down
In spite of the criticism, Kangana has stood firm in her position, tweeting on X (formerly Twitter), “The truth must be spoken. India is waking up. No more silence on the Waqf Board land mafia.”
As elections approach, her remarks are bound to generate more controversy in the days ahead, particularly as BJP leaders make similar remarks along the campaign trails.
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