MUMBAI : Actor and Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut has drawn fierce backlash from the younger demographic following a series of inflammatory Instagram stories targeting student-led protests across Mumbai and other cities.In her widely circulated posts, Ranaut slammed the students protestors organized under the banner of the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’, describing the content put out on social media about the protest as “puke-inducing” and “crass.”Singling out young women, she branded them “Generation Gutter” and accused them of displaying “filth, garbage, and ugliness” without accountability.The remarks have triggered widespread outrage among Gen Z, who argue that the actor-politician is generalizing a diverse movement and dismissing legitimate democratic expression.Weighing in on Ranaut’s harsh characterization, 25-year-old content marketing professional Pooja Mahabadi expressed deep dismay over the rhetoric used by a prominent public figure.“I am truly hurt by the words a public figure like her has used. Someone like her shouldn’t talk like this,” Mahabadi said.Condemning the terminology directed at women exercising their right to dissent, she added, “To use such words for women just because she has decided to exercise her democratic rights I am disgusted by these filthy words which she used.”While acknowledging that some elements of language in public demonstrations took a turn for the ugly, young participants emphasize that sweeping generalizations ignore the peaceful and creative core of the movement.Alakshendra Suryavansi, a 24-year-old working in corporate communications, noted that while language in parts of the protest was “crass,” the overarching environment was defined by artistic and civic engagement.“There were many students over there singing the national anthem and nursery rhymes like Nanna Munna Rahi,” Suryavansi noted, pointing out how protesters refashioned popular tracks like Jeene Mera Dil Luteya and songs from Chak De! India, to voice their message”.Speaking about songs which became a staple across different protest sites like Azaadi from the movie Gully Boy and Khalbali from the movie Rang De Basanti, he said ” these songs were made and used to express dissent and asked questions of the powers that be.He adds “If we can’t sing and we can’t ask accountability from the government, then what is the point of democracy and rights?”Echoing these sentiments, 24-year-old Mumbai-based producer Divyanshu Anand criticized Ranaut for adopting a posture of moral superiority. “She is not some perfect person who has the right to pass judgment. A small section of the content that she has seen does not define the nature of the protest itself.”Adding to the pushback, Yash Tiwary, 24, who works as a creative producer for a digital content company, pointed the lens right back at the older generation.Addressing Ranaut’s critique regarding how youth are raised, Tiwary noted, “If you are talking about who raised this generation, it is your generation who has raised us. And by the state of the politics of the country, we can see who is educated and who values education and studies well.”Tiwary added, “No matter what we say she is completely prejudiced against us. And 10 more statements like this from her are bound to come in”.
