New Delhi:

Actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has announced the launch of her new cafe in Himachal Pradesh’s Manali. The Mountain Story cafe, which she describes as a long-cherished dream, will open its doors on Valentine’s Day. While her fans and supporters celebrated the announcement, a surprising congratulatory message came from the Congress.

“We are happy to learn about your new ‘pure vegetarian’ restaurant. Hope you’ll serve some amazing Himachali vegetarian dishes for all tourists. Wishing all success for this venture!” wrote the official handle of the Kerala unit of Congress. 

The post, which appeared out of character given Ms Ranaut is a BJP MP and her past political clashes with Congress leaders immediately triggered reactions from social media users. Many questioned whether the Kerala Congress account had been hacked. 

“I am 100% sure this account is being run by a high school student on a lunch break!” responded one person

“Is this account hacked?” asked another 

Dear @KanganaTeam,

We are happy to learn about your new ‘pure vegetarian’ restaurant. Hope you’ll serve some amazing Himachali vegetarian dishes for all tourists. Wishing all success for this venture! pic.twitter.com/00z8I0w9UB

— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 12, 2025

Criticism also came from Congress supporters who found the message unnecessary. 

“You guys keep tweeting such cheap posts and then wonder why you are losing elections? It takes a great deal of stupidity to completely ignore the ethos of this country,” wrote one person. 

Ms Ranaut had shared a video of The Mountain Story cafe a few days ago, showing its interiors and the scenic beauty surrounding it. The video features wooden furniture, dimly lit chandeliers, and a traditional Himachali aesthetic.

“A childhood dream comes alive. My little cafe in the lap of Himalayas,” she had written.

Ms Ranaut’s latest film, ‘Emergency’, in which she plays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was released in theatres in January. As a first-time MP from the BJP, Ms Ranaut remains an outspoken critic of the Congress party.

New Delhi:

The External Affairs Ministry is in touch with United Kingdom authorities over reports that screenings of actor Kangana Ranaut’s new film ‘Emergency‘ – based on the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 – in that country are being obstructed.

“We have seen reports on how the film ‘Emergency’, being screened in several halls, was being obstructed. We consistently raise concerns with the UK regarding incidents of violent protest and intimidation by anti-India elements… freedom of speech and expression cannot be applied selectively.”

“Those obstructing it (the film screening) must be held accountable,” the ministry said.

“We hope the UK will take appropriate action against those responsible. Our High Commission in London remains in touch with our community members for their safety…” it added.

The reference was to reports that people in northwest London had been threatened by “masked Khalistani terrorists”, who burst into a theatre showing Ms Ranaut’s new film.

#WATCH | Delhi: MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “We have also seen several reports on how the film, ‘Emergency’, which was being screened in several halls was being obstructed. We consistently raise concerns with the UK Government regarding incidents of violent protest and… pic.twitter.com/UULvcx3QLP

— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2025

Bob Blackman, a MP for the Conservative Party, said, “On Sunday, many of my constituents gathered and paid for a screening of ‘Emergency’ in the Harrow Vue cinema. After about 30 or 40 minutes, masked Khalistani terrorists burst in, threatened audience members and forced the screening to end.”

Similar disruptions of the “very controversial” film were reported from Wolverhampton, Birmingham, and Manchester, prompting at least two movie theatre chains to pull the film.

“The film is very controversial, and I am not commenting on its quality or content… but I defend the right of my constituents, and other members’ constituents, to be able to view it and make a decision on it. It covers the period when Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister of India,” he said.

According to reports, some British Sikh groups, such as the Sikh Press Association, had organised protests against what they said was an “anti-Sikh” movie, and that these had resulted in disrupted shows in the towns named above.

Ms Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ faced a torrid time getting past the censors in India after Sikh organisations objected to its release. They accused the film’s makers – Ms Ranaut is one of the producers – of misrepresenting the Sikh community and twisting historical facts.

NDTV Explains | Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ Stuck. What Are The Objections

Responding to these concerns, government sources acknowledged the fact “there is some sensitive content” and that religious sentiments could not be hurt.

After months of back-and-forth between the Censor Board and the courts, the film was cleared mid-November – after making three cuts and providing sources for certain controversial dialogues – and slotted for a January 17 release.

With input from agencies

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New Delhi:

Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut courted a new controversy on Wednesday with a social media post about Mahatma Gandhi and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

The actor, who previously faced backlash for her comments on the farmers’ protests, paid homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 120th birth anniversary through a post that appeared to downplay Mahatma Gandhi’s stature as the Father of the Nation.

“Desh ke pita nahi, desh ke to lal hote hai. Dhanye hai Bharat ma ke ye lal (‘The country does not have fathers; it has sons. Blessed are these sons of Mother India)” Ms Ranaut wrote on her Instagram Stories.

In a follow-up post, the actor credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for carrying forward Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy on cleanliness in the country.

The post on Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mahatma Gandhi has led to yet another row for the BJP MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, with Congress leader Supriya Shrinate criticising Ranaut for her “lewd jibe” at Mahatma Gandhi.

“BJP MP Kangana made this lewd jibe on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. Godse worshippers draw distinctions between Bapu and Shastri ji. Will Narendra Modi wholeheartedly forgive his party’s new Godse devotee? There is the Father of the Nation, there are sons, and there are martyrs. Everyone deserves respect,” Ms Shrinate said in a post on X.

In March, Ms Shrinate herself had been embroiled in controversy before the Lok Sabha elections over an objectionable post regarding the actor.

Manoranjan Kalia, a senior BJP leader from Punjab, also criticised Ms Ranaut for her latest remarks.

“I condemn Kangana Ranaut’s comments made on Gandhi ji’s 155th birth anniversary. In her short political career, she has developed a habit of making controversial statements,” Mr Kalia said in a video posted on social media.

“Politics is not her field. Politics is a serious affair. One must think before speaking… Her controversial remarks cause trouble for the party,” he added.

It was only last month that Ms Ranaut faced backlash for advocating the return of the three farm laws repealed in 2021.

The actor, who was elected as an MP in June, alleged that the farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws was leading to a “Bangladesh-type situation in India”, claiming that “dead bodies were hanging, and rapes were taking place” at the protest sites.

Ms Ranaut later retracted her statement, acknowledging that she should remember she is not just an artist but also a BJP member. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi retains his membership of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence, while actor-politician and the BJP’s first-time parliamentarian Kangana Ranaut has been assigned to the committee on Information Technology, or IT, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat said in a notification issued Thursday.

Mr Gandhi, who is also Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House, was a member of the Defence Committee in the previous Lok Sabha too. The committee will be chaired by BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh. The Congress has been given the chair of four committees, including the one for External Affairs, which will be led by its former Foreign Minister Shashi Tharoor.

The Congress will also lead the committees on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports (to be chaired by Digvijaya Singh), Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing (ex -Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi), and Rural and Panchayati Raj (Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka). Seven-time MP and ex-Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has not been named.

Members from the ruling BJP will chair key committees, including Defence, Finance, Home, and Coal, Mines, and Steel, as well as Communications and IT, of which Ms Ranaut is a member. Home Affairs will be led by Radha Mohan Das Agrawal. Bhartruhari Mahtab, who served as Pro-Tem Speaker, will lead the prestigious Standing Committee on Finance.

Former union ministers Anurag Thakur and Rajiv Pratap Rudy will lead the committees on Coal, Mines and Steel, and Water Resources, while Nishikant Dubey gets the Comms and IT post.

READ | Parliament Standing Committees Formed, Rahul Gandhi On Defence Panel 

In the previous Lok Sabha Mr Dubey and the Congress’ Shashi Tharoor had a bitter spat over social media giant Facebook’s rules for hate speech on its platform, which led to the BJP MP replacing the Congress leader as the committee head in 2022.

Among other opposition parties and leaders, the Samajwadi Party’s Jaya Bachchan joins fellow actor Ms Ranaut in the Comms and IT committee. Priyanka Chaturvedi, from the Shiv Sena group led by ex-Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, joins the two of them.

Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra – whose disqualification from the last Lok Sabha made headlines – is also on that committee. Tiruchi Siva and Kanimozhi of Tamil Nadu’s DMK, will chair Industry and Consumer Affairs, and Food and Public Distribution.

Several allies of the BJP – which won the April-June general election thanks to 53 seats from its National Democratic Alliance partners – have been given leadership of one committee each. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar’s JDU will lead Housing and Urban Affairs, and Transport, Tourism, and Culture.

These two parties together won 28 Lok Sabha seats.

Ahead of the election in Maharashtra later this year, the BJP’s state allies – the Shiv Sena faction of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the NCP group of his deputy, Ajit Pawar – are also named. Leaders from their parties will helm the committees on Energy and Petroleum and Natural Gas panel.

Each department-related standing committees – which has representation from across party lines – acts as ‘mini parliaments’ and keeps a tab on the functioning of their related ministries.

Each committee is a combination of members from both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

With input from agencies

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Mumbai:

Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s new film, ‘Emergency’, can be released as long as “some cuts” – to be recommended by the Censor Board of Film Certification’s revision committee – are made, the Bombay High Court was told Thursday afternoon.

The movie was supposed to release on September 6, but ran into trouble after complaints of historical inaccuracies and misrepresenting the Sikh community. The movie is based on the Emergency imposed in 1975 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Government sources have told NDTV “there is some sensitive content” and that “religious sentiments cannot be hurt”.

The High Court was hearing a petition by the movie’s co-producers, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, seeking the release of the censor certificate so the movie can hit the screens.

Last week the court directed the CBFC to take a final call, accepting the film ratings body’s reservations but noting “it is not for CBFC to decide whether this affects public order”.

Justice BP Colabwalla, one of two judges in the division bench hearing this case, pointed out Ms Ranaut’s production is not a documentary, and asked, “Do you think public is so naive they will believe everything in a movie? What about creative freedom?”

READ | “But Creative Freedom?” Court’s Deadline For Kangana’s ‘Emergency’

The court also said the CBFC “can’t sit on the fence”. “Take a decision. Let’s see what the revising committee says, be it deciding to release or not, take a decision. Have the courage to say that the film should not be released. We will appreciate the stand of the CBFC,” it said.

Abhinav Chandrachud, the censor board’s counsel, told the court some scenes show a polarising figure cutting a deal with political parties. “We have to see if this is factually accurate,” he said, while also noting there is no “political angle” in the movie.

Earlier, the matter came up before the Madhya Pradesh High Court when two Sikh organisations filed a PIL. In response, the CBFC told the court the movie had not been issued a certificate.

NDTV Explains | Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ Stuck. What Are The Objections

The court then disposed of that petition.

Ms Ranaut – who was also involved in a spat with the Congress over comments about the party’s Himachal Pradesh government and Sonia Gandhi, as well as over the farmers’ protests, has said she was forced to sell property due to the delayed censor certificate.

“I had staked my personal property on this film… which was supposed to come in theatres. Now it is not releasing, so the property is there, to be sold off in difficult times,” she said on X.

Ms Ranaut plays the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The movie also stars Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, Mahima Chaudhry and Milind Soman in pivotal roles.

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Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut continues to be slammed by her party’s leaders over her remarks on the three farm laws, which were withdrawn by the Modi government after it sparked massive farmers’ protests. The Mandi MP had suggested that the three laws should be brought back but apologised after the BJP distanced itself from her remarks. She later said those were her personal views, not that of the party, and that her opinions should reflect the party’s stand.

The apology, however, did little to allay the damage her words may have caused to the BJP’s image in Punjab. BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said one should not judge Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bond with Punjab through such “baseless and illogical” remarks.

“I am grateful to the BJP for distancing themselves from the comments of Kangana Ranaut. But as a Punjabi, I must say that Kangana Ranaut’s consistent rant, useless, baseless and illogical statements against the Sikh community, the farmers of Punjab are damaging all the good work, the welfare-oriented, the Vikas-oriented work being done, that has been done by PM Modi for the welfare of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat,” he told ANI.

“Having said that there should not be any doubt that PM Modi’s bond with Punjab, the farmer of Punjab and Punjabiyat is an unbreakable, unshakable bond and that bond should not be judged or seen through the lens of irresponsible comments being made by one MP Kangana Ranaut,” Mr Shergill added.

Read | “I Must Remember…”: Kangana Ranaut Apologises For Remarks On Farm Laws

Another BJP spokesperson, Gaurav Bhatia, said yesterday that Ms Ranaut’s remarks were her “personal statements” that don’t depict the BJP’s stand view on the farm bills.

“On the social media platforms, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s statement on the farm bills that were withdrawn by centre is going viral. I want to make it clear that this statement is a personal statement of her,” Mr Bhatia said.

Ms Ranaut, who was elected to the parliament from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi constituency earlier this year, had said “farmers themselves should demand” the three farm laws that were scrapped by the government. “I know this statement could be controversial, but the three farm laws should be brought back. Farmers themselves should demand it,” she had said.

Read | “Farmers Should Demand…”: Kangana Ranaut’s Latest Draws Congress Fury

On being pointed out by the party that she was “not authorized” to make such comments, Ms Ranaut took back her remarks and said in a video statement she will ensure her views are aligned with that of the party. “I have to keep in mind that I am not just an artist but also a BJP worker. My opinions should not be personal and should be the party’s stand. I regret and take my words back if my comments have disappointed anyone,” she said.

The BJP had reprimanded Ms Ranaut once last month as well – over her remarks that a “Bangladesh-like situation” could have erupted in India during the farmers’ protest if the centre had not taken strong measures.

Ms Ranaut is also embroiled in a controversy over her latest film, Emergency, which is fighting for a censor certificate after several allegations that she has tried to tarnish the images of Sikhs in the film and levelled false charges against the community.

New Delhi:

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday distanced itself from its MP Kangana Ranaut’s fresh comment on the three farm laws that were at the core of the farmers’ protest in 2020. Speaking to reporters in her Lok Sabha constituency of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, the actor-politician said the laws – rolled back by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in November 2021 after massive agitations – “should be brought back… (and) farmers themselves should demand it”.

“I know this will be controversial… but I feel the farm laws that were repealed should be brought back. The farmers themselves should demand it. They are a pillar of strength for the nation’s development and I want to appeal to them – demand the laws back for your own good,” Kangana Ranaut said.

The BJP, however, said her comments do not represent the party’s views.

Party’s spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the remarks are Ms Ranaut’s “personal statement”.

“Kangana Ranaut is not authorised to make such a statement on behalf of the BJP and it doesn’t depict the BJP’s view on the farm bills,” Mr Bhatia said.

She then responded to Mr Bhatia’s statement and said, “My views on farm laws are personal and they don’t represent the party’s stand on those Bills.”

Absolutely, my views on Farmers Laws are personal and they don’t represent party’s stand on those Bills. Thanks. https://t.co/U4byptLYuc

— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 24, 2024

Ms Ranaut, whose latest film, ‘Emergency’, is fighting for a censor certificate, has already been reprimanded once by the BJP – last month – over earlier remarks on the farmers’ protests. The actor had said that a “Bangladesh-like situation” could have erupted in India during the farmers’ protests if strong measures had not been taken by the Centre.

In 2020, as the farmers’ protests were gathering steam, she allegedly misidentified a woman farmer from Punjab and called her Bilkis Bano.

That swipe resurfaced in June this year after Kangana Ranaut was slapped by a woman CISF officer.

Kangana Ranaut’s Farm Laws Remark Draws Congress, AAP’s Ire

Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) attacked Kangana Ranaut and vowed that “these black laws will (never be brought back now)… no matter how hard Modi and his MPs try”.

“More than 750 farmers were martyred… only then did the Modi government wake up and these black laws were withdrawn. Now BJP MPs are planning to bring them back… but Congress is with the farmers,” party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said.

AAP’s Balbir Singh also took a jibe at the actor.

“Just ask her what are the three farm laws. I can guarantee you she would not be able to answer. All she is doing is comedy. Please don’t take her seriously,” Mr Singh told reporters when asked about Ms Ranaut’s comments.

AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang also spoke to reporters and said that discussing the reinstating of the agricultural laws “is an insult to millions of farmers and the 750 martyred farmers in the country”.

He called on PM Modi to respond and urged him to take immediate action against Ms Ranaut if he “truly” stands with the farmers.

Ms Ranaut’s latest jab comes days before the Assembly election in Haryana, from where lakhs of farmers marched on Delhi and participated in multiple blockades against the city.

New Delhi:

The Congress has responded angrily to BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s allegations – that its Himachal Pradesh government illegally transferred funds meant for disaster relief to Sonia Gandhi.

The hill state’s Public Works Department Minister – Vikramaditya Singh – warned Ms Ranaut to either withdraw the accusation or face legal action. “If Kangana does not retract her statement… we will sue for defamation. On what basis did she make such a statement? It is extremely unfortunate (that) she made a statement against a leader of Sonia Gandhi’s stature,” Mr Singh said Monday afternoon.

“There cannot be a (more) foolish statement than saying ‘funds coming from the Centre, or the state’s funds for development, are being given to Sonia Gandhi,” he said, “I openly challenge Kangana to show proof of even Re 1 being diverted… or apologise to Sonia Gandhi for such baseless allegations…”

Mr Singh also slammed Ms Ranaut’s “intellectual bankruptcy”, pointing out the actor-politician had, only last month, been reprimanded by her party over comments about the farmers’ protest.

“The BJP has already cautioned her… to not issue a statement on sensitive issues. However, it seem she has not paid heed to the advice of her party’s high command,” he said.

READ | BJP Schools Actor-MP Kangana Ranaut Over Farmer Remarks

On the specific charge – that the Congress’ Himachal Pradesh government “takes loans and gives it to Sonia Gandhi, which has made the state’s finances hollow” – Mr Singh pointed out money from the central government, and the uses to which it is put, are properly audited.

“It is a defamatory statement and we condemn it. She should produce evidence in a week… if she doesn’t, and doesn’t apologise, we will file a criminal defamation case…” Mr Singh said.

On Sunday, launching a membership drive in her constituency, Ms Ranaut hit out at the Congress and attacked Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

“Disasters and Congress have taken the state back decades… I appeal to the people to root out this government,” she said, “If we (the central government) gives disaster funds, it should go to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund… but everyone knows that it goes to the ‘Sonia Relief Fund’.”

The actor-politician also took a dig at Vikramaditya Singh – her rival for the Mandi Lok Sabha seat in the April-June general election. “The people are tired of potholes on roads… I would do more than possible for my area, but the PWD Minister should also do something as well,” she said.

Himachal Pradesh is battling a financial crisis inflamed by devastating landslides, flash floods, and heavy rain in August, last year and this. To combat this problem the Chief Minister last month said his cabinet colleagues and he would defer accepting salaries for two months.

READ | Crisis-Hit Himachal Chief Minister, Ministers Defer Salaries For 2 Months

“After discussing in the Cabinet, all members decided that till the state sees improvement… we will not take salary, TA or DA (Transport or Dearness Allowance) for two months. This is just a small amount… but it is symbolic. Apart from this, I also requested all the MLAs…” the Chief Minister told reporters.

The centre has offered financial assistance; in August last year it approved the release of Rs 200 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund, as advance aid. This was after the release of Rs 360.8 crore from its share of state funds. And, earlier, this year, the centre announced Rs 11,500 crore support; this will, though, be distributed among flood-affected states.

Meanwhile, Ms Ranaut, a fierce critic of the opposition and avid supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also made headlines for the legal battle over her new film ‘Emergency’.

READ | “But Creative Freedom?” Censor’s Deadline For Kangana’s ‘Emergency’

The movie is based on the political turmoil in 1975, when Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister. It ran into trouble after Sikh organisations alleged it misrepresents their community, and arguments for and against its release are being heard by the Bombay High Court.

With input from agencies

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Mumbai:

A district court in Chandigarh has issued a notice to actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut over her controversial film ‘Emergency’. Advocate Ravinder Singh Bassi, former president of the District Bar Association, filed an application claiming the actor tried to tarnish the image of Sikhs in her film.

Besides showcasing a wrong image of Sikhs, the film features several false allegations against the community, the advocate said, seeking to register a case against Ms Ranaut.

The court will take up the matter again on December 5.

Ms Ranaut’s directorial venture “Emergency” has been embroiled in a massive controversy after Sikh organisations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, accused it of misrepresenting the community and twisting historical facts.

She recently said she was forced to sell off her property in Mumbai after the movie’s release was postponed due to delay in getting a censor certificate. There have been reports that the actor sold her bungalow at Pali Hill in Bandra for Rs 32 crore.

Read | Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ Stuck In Massive Row. What Are The Objections

“I had staked my personal property on this film, which was supposed to come in theatres. Now it is not releasing, so the property is there, to be sold off in difficult times,” said the actor who essays the role of former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the movie.

The political drama, written by Ms Ranaut and co-produced by Zee Studios and the actor’s Manikarnika films, is based on the Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi government in 1975. It also features Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, Mahima Chaudhry and Milind Soman in pivotal roles.

Read | Kangana Ranaut Says Sold Mumbai Property After ‘Emergency’ Postponed

The film was set to release last year, but it was postponed to June this year. It was postponed again to September 6 due to Lok Sabha elections. But with no approval from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), it is not clear when the movie will hit the screens.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises approached the Bombay High Court earlier this month, seeking its intervention to clear the film for release. But the court refused to grant any urgent relief.

New Delhi:

BJP MP and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday attended a book launch event in New Delhi, organised by the Narendra Modi Study Centre to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 74th birthday.

The event featured the release of Prime Minister Narendra Modi: From the Red Fort, a book edited by Ms Ranaut herself.

In her speech, Kangana praised the Prime Minister’s leadership and expressed her admiration for his vision and influence.

Addressing the gathering, the BJP MP said: “Today is the birthday of everyone’s favourite Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is a great honour for me to be here and share my thoughts. I am very grateful for this opportunity. We, as Indians, are filled with unique hope, enthusiasm, and excitement at this moment. I often reflect on what the true essence of India is. Is it merely a piece of land? Its geography changes over time, and the map of a continent or country is always evolving.”

Kangana went on to elaborate on PM Modi’s global contributions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where India emerged as a leader in vaccine distribution.

“When the pandemic hit, PM Modi ensured that vaccines were delivered across the globe through India’s medicine diplomacy. He guided the world with his enlightened vision,” she added.

Kangana Ranaut also emphasised PM Modi’s recognition on the global stage, citing his receipt of numerous civilian honors from countries around the world. She challenged the narrative pushed by critics who often focus on secularism and liberalism, stating,

“Those who constantly speak of secularism and liberalism know in their hearts who the true secularist, liberal, and feminist person is. It is PM Narendra Modi.”

The event was attended by several BJP leaders, dignitaries, and scholars, all reflecting on the profound impact of Narendra Modi’s leadership on India and the world.

The book Prime Minister Narendra Modi: From the Red Fort explores his speeches from India’s iconic landmark and underscores his vision for the country’s future.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)