Actress and BJP MP-elect Kangana Ranaut said she was hit in the face and abused by a woman CISF constable during security check at the Chandigarh airport on Thursday, the ugly fracas breaking out two days after she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.
The constable, who appeared to be upset with Ranaut over her stance on the farmer protests, has been suspended and an FIR lodged against her, officials said. The Central Industrial Security Force, tasked with providing security at airports, has also ordered a court of inquiry into the incident.
In a video statement titled ‘Shocking rise in terror and violence in Punjab’ posted on X after she landed in Delhi, the actress said she was safe and fine. Recapping in detail what had happened, Ranaut said she had been getting a lot of calls from the media and her well-wishers. The constable, she said, came towards her from the side.
“She hit me in the face and started abusing me. I asked her why she did it and she said she supports the farmer protests.” “I am safe but my concern is that terrorism is increasing in Punjab… How do we handle that?”
The incident is said to have occurred at around 3.30 pm when Ranaut was at the Chandigarh airport to board a flight for Delhi. According to sources, she was allegedly slapped by the CISF official during a frisking argument.
It is claimed that the CISF guard was angry with Kangana Ranaut for speaking against the farmers’ movement. Mayank Madhur, who was accompanying Kangana, tried to slap Kulwinder Kaur. After this, a complaint was given to the police by Ranaut.
Following the accusation, Kaur has been detained in the Commanding Officer’s room where she is being questioned about the incident. The CISF is thoroughly investigating the matter, including reviewing CCTV footage from the Chandigarh Airport to ascertain the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged altercation, the sources said. Meanwhile, an inquiry committee comprising senior CISF officers has also been set up to conduct a further investigation, they added.
Reacting to the incident, former Himachal CM Jairam Thakur said, “It is very unfortunate. Nobody has the right to harm anyone. She was heading towards Delhi to attend a party meeting.”
