Actor and MP Kangana Ranaut has criticized participants in the CJP-led student protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, which had demanded then-Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and other examination irregularities. Pradhan resigned on July 25, following which the group called off its protest.

Reacting to videos from the agitation in a series of Instagram Stories (see insets), Ranaut criticized the protesters’ language and behaviour, describing the clips as “puke inducing”, “jarring” and “crass”.

In a subsequent Story, she turned her attention specifically to young Hindu women, writing, “Most appalling is the behaviour of young Hindu women, who want to imitate the lives of independent career women without earning that freedom.”

Ranaut said women who are truly independent make “rebellious choices”, express bold opinions, take unconventional career decisions and remain accountable for their actions. She referred to a section of “westernized Indian women” as “Generation Gutter” and alleged that some sought independence while continuing to live off their parents’ earnings.

Concluding with what she called a “gentle reminder”, Ranaut wrote, “Independent life needs to be earned. If you try to live independent without accountability you are just a distorted entity. Gutter chap.”