CISF suspends constable for ‘slapping’ BJP MP Kangana

Barinderjit Saluja & Bharti Jain | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; June 7, 2024)

Actor and BJP’s newly elected MP Kangana Ranaut alleged that she was slapped by a CISF woman constable after asecurity check at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh on Thursday, report Barinderjit Saluja & Bharti Jain.

According to eyewitness accounts and reliable sources, the constable, identified as Kulwinder Kaur, allegedly confronted Kangana about her remarks regarding women participating in the ongoing farmers’ protests. The altercation escalated when the constable, visibly agitated by Kangana’s comments, allegedly slapped her. A CISF spokesperson told TOI that the force has suspended the woman constable and lodged an FIR against her.
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Chandigarh/New Delhi: Kangana Ranaut, Bollywood actor and newly elected BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, alleged she was slapped by a CISF woman constable after a security check at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh, on Thursday.

According to eyewitness accounts and reliable sources, the constable, identified as Kulwinder Kaur, allegedly confronted Kangana about her remarks regarding women participating in the ongoing farmers’ protests. The altercation escalated when the constable, visibly agitated by Kangana’s comments, allegedly slapped her.

A video of the constable was soon widely circulated on social media. In the video, Kulwinder says: “Isne (Kangana) bayaan diya tha na ki 100-100 rupaye ke liye baithi hain wahan pe (during the farmers’ protest). Yeh baithegi wahan? Meri maa baithi thi jab isne bayaan diya (Ranaut had said during the farmers’ protest that women were sitting there for Rs 100. My mother was also at the protest when she said that.)”

The incident was widely condemned and action sought against the constable. A CISF spokesperson told TOI on Thursday that the paramilitary force has suspended the constable and lodged an FIR against her. “Local police will conduct a criminal investigation. At our end, there will be a full internal inquiry and action will be taken as required,” said the officer.

Ranaut, who was going to Delhi to attend a meeting of MPs convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, later released a video saying, “I am safe, but I am worried about the growing terrorism and extremism in Punjab…”

The incident has raised questions about security arrangements at airports as well as the need for better training and sensitization of security personnel to handle such situations.

Terming the incident a serious matter, National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Sharma called for serious action and said the panel had taken up the matter with the CISF.
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BOMBAY TIMES (June 8, 2024)

Actor and BJP MP-elect Kangana Ranaut said she was hit in the face and abused by a woman CISF constable during security check at the Chandigarh airport on Thursday. This was two days after she won from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh.

Kangana said the constable, Kulwinder Kaur, came towards her from the side. “She hit me in the face and started abusing me. I asked her why she did it and she said she supports the farmer protests.” A video doing the rounds of social media showed an agitated Kaur talking to people presumably after the incident. “Kangana made a statement that farmers were protesting in Delhi because they were paid. At the time, my mother was one of the protesters,” she said.

The constable was suspended and an FIR lodged against her, officials said. The CISF, tasked with providing security at airports, has also ordered a court of inquiry into the incident. Kaur has had no vigilance inquiry or punishment against her in the force till now, officials said.

Leader of the opposition and former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur and State Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, who lost to Ranaut in the elections, termed incident very unfortunate and condemned it.
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 8, 2024)

Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut, the newly elected BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, has been making headlines after she was slapped by CISF officer Kulwinder Kaur at the Chandigarh airport. Kaur raised an objection to the actor’s remarks made during the farmers’ protest in 2020.

“She gave a statement... that farmers are sitting there for Rs. 100. Will she go and sit there? My mother was sitting there and protesting when she gave this statement,” said Kaur, who is now suspended, with an FIR being filed against her, as per PTI reports.

While Ranaut’s Insta Story blamed Bollywood for staying mum, some celebs voiced support for her. Singer Mika Singh wrote on Insta: “It’s disheartening to hear about the airport episode that took place with Kangana. The #CISF constable was on duty and it is her job to ensure the safety of people around. It is sad that she thought it was okay to assault a passenger due to her personal anger.” Actor Raveena Tandon wrote on X, “In a world where public scrutiny is relentless, it is essential to remember that women achievers are human too.”

Meanwhile, composer Vishal Dadlani looked at it differently and wrote on Insta: “I do not ever support violence, but I absolutely understand the need of this @official_cisf personnel’s anger. If any action is taken against her by the CISF, I will ensure that she has a job waiting for her should she choose to accept it. Jai Hind. Jai Jawaan. Jai Kisaan (sic).”