Chandigarh – Kulwinder Kaur, a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable, has been suspended and arrested following an incident at Chandigarh airport where she allegedly slapped Kangana Ranaut, the newly-elected MP for Mandi and a well-known actor. The altercation took place on Thursday as Ms. Ranaut was preparing to board a flight to Delhi.

Sources indicate that the confrontation was triggered by a previous statement made by Ms. Ranaut that deeply offended Kaur. “She gave a statement… that farmers are sitting there for ₹ 100. Will she go and sit there? My mother was sitting there and protesting when she gave this statement…,” Kaur stated, referencing the 2020 farmers’ protests against the three farm laws enacted by the central government.

During the height of these protests, Ms. Ranaut had posted on social media claiming that an elderly woman at a protest site was being paid ₹ 100 to sit there. This comment, perceived by many as derogatory towards the farmers, led to widespread backlash, prompting the actor to delete the post.

A video recorded by onlookers at the airport shows Ms. Ranaut being escorted to the security checkpoint where the incident occurred. The footage captures an argument breaking out but does not show the alleged slap. Following the incident, Ms. Ranaut took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her account of what happened.

“The incident happened at the security check-in. The woman guard waited for me to cross. She then came and hit me… started throwing expletives. I asked (her) why she hit me. She said, ‘I support farmers’. I am safe… but my concern is terrorism is rising in Punjab. How do we handle that?” she said in the video.

Ms. Ranaut has been a contentious figure in the farmers’ protests, facing significant online backlash for her comments. In February 2021, she responded to a post by international pop star Rihanna, who highlighted the farmers’ protest with the comment, “Why aren’t we talking about this?” Ms. Ranaut’s reply was severe, labeling the protestors as “terrorists” and accusing them of attempting to divide India. She later deleted this post as well.

This incident at the airport highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the farmers’ protests and the strong emotions they evoke. The arrest and suspension of the CISF constable underscore the seriousness with which authorities are addressing the situation, reflecting the charged atmosphere of public discourse on this issue.