Karan Johar Condemns Violence in Wake of Kangana Ranaut Slap Incident
13.06.2024: Filmmaker Karan Johar, during the promotion of his upcoming film ‘Kill,’ addressed the recent incident involving actor-politician Kangana Ranaut being allegedly slapped by a CISF woman constable at Chandigarh airport.
Karan Johar’s Stand on Violence
At a press conference, Karan Johar stated, “I do not support or condone any form of violence, verbal or physical.” This statement came in response to a question about the alleged assault on Kangana Ranaut.
Reactions from the Film Industry
Kangana Ranaut, who has previously accused Karan Johar of promoting nepotism in Bollywood, referred to him as the “flag bearer of nepotism” on his show “Koffee With Karan.”
Earlier, senior actors Shabana Azmi and Anupam Kher also spoke out against the attack on Kangana, now a Member of Parliament. Shabana Azmi tweeted, “I have no love lost for Kangana Ranaut. But I can’t find myself joining this chorus of celebrating ‘the slap’. If security personnel start taking the law into their hands, none of us can be safe.”
Anupam Kher expressed his regret, stating, “The way a woman slapped another taking advantage of her position is wrong. This should be investigated. Any kind of violence towards anyone is not right.”
The Incident at Chandigarh Airport
On June 6, ahead of the grand oath ceremony of the Modi 3.0 cabinet, Kangana Ranaut was traveling to Delhi to collect her Parliament ID and passes. At around 3:30 PM, during a security check at Chandigarh airport, she was allegedly slapped by a CISF woman constable.
An FIR was filed against the constable under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, but no arrest has been made.
Kangana Ranaut’s Response
After arriving in Delhi, Kangana released a video message addressing the incident and expressing concerns about rising extremism in Punjab. She stated, “I am safe, I am perfectly fine. The incident took place at Chandigarh airport with security staff. The moment I came out after the security check, a security staff member in another cabin came from the side and hit me on my face and started abusing me.”
She further added that the constable claimed to support the farmers’ protest, a movement Kangana had previously criticized.
The Constable’s Statement
The constable, recorded by passengers at the airport, mentioned her personal grievances. She stated that her mother was among the farmers protesting the now-repealed farm laws and felt insulted by Kangana’s remarks that the women protesters were paid to sit in protest. “She gave a statement that women farmers were sitting at the protest in exchange for ₹100 each. My mother was also sitting there when she gave this statement. I could not tolerate my mother’s insult,” she explained.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the film industry and public figures remain divided on the issue. Karan Johar’s condemnation of violence adds another layer to the ongoing discourse surrounding the contentious relationship between Kangana Ranaut and various Bollywood figures.