New Delhi: Hitting out at actor Kangana Ranaut for describing India’s Independence in 1947 as ‘bheek’ or alms, the Congress on Thursday said her remarks amounted to “treason” and demanded that the government take back the Padma Shri bestowed on her recently for “insulting” the country’s independence movement.
In a 24-second clip shared widely, Ranaut says India’s Independence in 1947 was not freedom but “bheek” (alms). “And we got real freedom in 2014,” she said at an event organised by a news channel with some people in the audience heard clapping.
Reacting to Ranaut’s remarks, Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said her statement has shown what happens when people who are not deserving of Padma awards are given these honours.
“I demand that Kangana Ranaut should make a public apology to all Indians because of her statement, our freedom movement and our freedom fighters’ sacrifice were insulted,” Vallabh said.
“The government of India should take back the prestigious Padma award from such a lady who is insulting Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. If the government is giving her Padma award, it means the government is promoting these kinds of people,” Vallabh said.
Asserting that because of her statement, sentiments of families of freedom fighters were hurt, the Congress leader said the government should apologise on behalf of Ranaut as she was a recipient of a Padma award. What Kangana Ranaut has said is “direct treason”, Vallabh said.
