The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Himachal Pradesh): Actor Kangana Ranaut, the BJP candidate from the Mandi parliamentary constituency, faced protests on Monday as local people and Congress workers in Kaza, Lahaul and Spiti, showed her black flags and raised anti-Kangana slogans. The protests stemmed from her controversial remarks about Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama last year.
The Himachal Pradesh BJP has filed a complaint with the state chief electoral officer (CEO), demanding the transfer of election officials and an investigation into the incident. The complaint arose because both the BJP and Congress were given permission to hold rallies in adjacent locations, leading to clashes.
Congress workers shouted slogans like “Kangana, go back” and “Kangana Vangana nahi chalegi.” Their anger traces back to April last year when Ranaut tweeted a meme featuring the Dalai Lama, which many found offensive. The photoshopped picture showed the Dalai Lama with US President Joe Biden, both sticking their tongues out, with a caption implying they shared the same illness. This led to protests from Buddhists outside her office in Mumbai, after which Ranaut apologized, stating it was a harmless joke about Biden being friends with the Dalai Lama.
Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Jai Ram Thakur, who accompanied Ranaut to Kaza, alleged that Congress workers attempted to disrupt the BJP meeting and threw stones at their convoy, injuring one person. He condemned the permission given to Congress to hold a rally at the same venue as the BJP, accusing them of frustration and calling for an investigation by the Election Commission.
In the complaint filed with the Himachal Pradesh CEO, BJP state office secretary Parmod Kumar Thakur alleged that Congress workers illegally tried to restrain the political procession and demanded an investigation into the stone-pelting incident. The BJP criticized the district administration for granting rally permissions to both parties at the same location, calling it a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Lahaul and Spiti SP Mayank Chowdhary reported that workers from both parties confronted each other but no clash occurred, and only one person sprained his leg. Congress election coordinator for Lahaul and Spiti, Bhishan Shashni, claimed that the protest was peaceful but was joined by many people upset by Ranaut’s remarks about the Dalai Lama.
Earlier, Congress candidate from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, Vikramaditya Singh, questioned why Ranaut did not visit Spiti and alleged she was afraid of being shown black flags for her comments about the Dalai Lama.