It is virtually certain that Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut is poised to enter politics in a not too distant future. Courting controversy is nothing new for the National Award-winning actor, and this time, she has decided to lock horns with the Shiv Sena, one of the principal parties ruling Maharashtra at present.
After drawing comparisons between Mumbai and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, she has attacked Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in the kind of language that cannot be endorsed in public life. Kangana’s supporters may argue that she used harsh words only after the Sena-controlled municipal corporation carried out demolitions at her premises, which have been now stayed by the High Court.
However, there would have been no need for this kind of retaliation, since even the Aghadi government’s partners, the NCP and the Congress, have also not approved of the excessive and uncalled action of the civic body. The Congress has asked its Mumbai unit to distance itself from the Shiv Sena so far as Kangana is concerned, knowing fully well that the public sympathy on this particular issue was totally with the outspoken actor.
Nevertheless, on her part, the star must realise that politics has undergone a drastic change and there is growing intolerance to dissent at every level. This is not confined to the Sena alone, but even the BJP has come down harshly on those who have opposed its actions in the past and are viewed as its critics. This is not a good trend and must be contained. Kangana has no business in describing other Bollywood personalities as druggies, and demanding that they should be tested unless she can substantiate the charge with evidence.
It is surprising that none of the accused actors have served her a defamation notice so far. It is evident that Kangana enjoys the support of some powerful BJP politicians, given the swiftness with which she has been provided a ‘Y’ category security detail. The recommendation for the protection was made by the Himachal Pradesh government which the Centre readily accepted.
What is becoming increasingly clear is that with the kind of patronage the actor has, she may emerge as a future BJP leader from the hill state. Her interest in politics must have made many of the party leaders hailing from Himachal wary of her actions. Junior Finance Minister Anurag Thakur and BJP president J.P. Nadda are both from the state and are considered future Chief Ministers of a region which is dominated by upper castes. Being a Thakur, Kangana would be an acceptable face. Like Rajasthan, Himachal chooses the Congress and BJP alternatively. The Congress is leaderless with Virbhadra Singh not keeping good health due to his advanced years, and the High Command is unable to name his successor, even though there are capable people in the party who can deliver. The current Chief Minister, Jairam Thakur, got the position by default since Prem Kumar Dhumal, unexpectedly, lost the elections. Will Kangana be now a contender as well?