Kangana Ranaut Faces Sexist Attacks After BJP Candidate Announcement

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its fifth list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024, which includes Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut as a candidate from the Mandi constituency. This marks the electoral debut for the acclaimed actor, who has frequently expressed her admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Kangana Ranaut's Candidature Announcement

Following the announcement of her candidature by Mandi, Kangana Ranaut expressed her joy at officially joining the party. "My beloved Bharat and Bhartiya Janta’s own party, Bharatiya Janta party ( BJP) has always had my unconditional support" she stated.

"Today the national leadership of BJP has announced me as their Loksabha candidate from my birth place Himachal Pradesh, Mandi (constituency) I abide by the high command’s decision on contesting Loksabha polls. I feel honoured and elated to officially join the party. I look forward to be a worthy karyakarta and a reliable public servant." Kangana Ranaut shared her sentiments via a post on social media platform X.

My beloved Bharat and Bhartiya Janta’s own party, Bharatiya Janta party ( BJP) has always had my unconditional support, today the national leadership of BJP has announced me as their Loksabha candidate from my birth place Himachal Pradesh, Mandi (constituency) I abide by the high…

— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) March 24, 2024

Actor Faces Sexist Attacks After BJP Candidate Announcement

Following her announcement, various comments began pouring in from different quarters. Some expressed little surprise, with one remarking, "We saw that coming" Others took a dig at her acting career, stating, "After successfully ruining her career in Bollywood" However, the criticism didn't end there. Some trolls went further, making derogatory remarks about her lineage and profession. 

Using her X account, the actor responded to the troll by sharing a screenshot of the derogatory comment. In her post, she expressed her dismay, stating, "If a young man gets a ticket, his ideology is attacked; if a young woman gets a ticket, her sexuality is attacked. Strange !! Also, in Congress, people are sexualizing a small town’s name. Mandi is being used in a sexual context everywhere, just because it has a young woman candidate. Shame on congress people for displaying sexist tendencies."

If a young man gets ticket his ideology is attacked if a young woman gets ticket her sexuality is attacked.
Strange !!
Also congress people are sexualising a small town’s name.
Mandi is being used in sexual context every where, just because it has a young woman candidate, shame… pic.twitter.com/BIn2XfWXjz

— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) March 25, 2024

These people too pic.twitter.com/kFAhWuTEmN

— ExtraSpiceAni (@ShrivastavAni) March 25, 2024

It is truly disheartening to witness how easily some individuals resort to attacking a woman's sexuality in an attempt to discredit her, rather than engaging in constructive criticism or addressing genuine concerns. Instead of focusing on  Kangana Ranaut's ideology, political agenda, or contributions to society, these trolls chose to target her personal life, highlighting the unfair treatment that women often face.

The fact that derogatory remarks are directed at a woman's sexuality, particularly when she is disliked for her actions or opinions, is deeply troubling. This raises important questions about the societal norms and biases that perpetuate such behaviour. Why is it that women are subjected to these kinds of attacks, simply for exercising their agency or participating in public life?

It is crucial to recognise that attacking someone's sexuality is not only unjust but also reflects a broader issue of misogyny and gender discrimination. Rather than resorting to baseless insults, it would be far more productive to engage in meaningful dialogue about Kangana Ranaut's political agenda, actions, and performance as a public figure.

 Views expressed by the author are their own