CHANDIGARH: Bollywood actress and newly elected BJP MP from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut said that she was allegedly slapped by a woman constable of CISF at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport at Chandigarh on her way to Delhi.
While Kangana Ranaut was at the boarding area of the airport, preparing to catch Vistara flight UK707 to Delhi, she claimed that a CISF constable, Kulwinder Kaur, allegedly slapped her after the security check-in.
Sources said that the alleged incident took place during a frisking when an argument broke out between Kaur and Kangana over comments on the farmers' issue. Kaur, allegedly upset with Kangana's remarks on the farmers' protests, then reportedly slapped her. Later, a close aide who was travelling with Ranaut tried to slap Kaur.
An official on condition of anonymity said that no formal complaint has been registered as of now and the CCTV footage is being scanned and an incident report is being prepared.
Sources said that Kangana is likely to file a complaint with the Ministry of Home Affairs. She left for Delhi after the incident. In a video statement titled "Shocking rise in terror and violence in Punjab" posted on X after landing in Delhi, she said she was safe and fine but was concerned about terrorism increasing in Punjab.
She said the constable came towards her from the side. "She hit me on the face and started abusing me. I asked her why she did it and she said she supports the farmers' protests."
Meanwhile, an inquiry committee comprising senior CISF officials has been formed. A video has surfaced in which Kaur can be heard saying that her mother was also participating in the farmers' protest. During questioning, the constable claimed that Kangana made inappropriate comments about the women of Punjab during the farmers' agitation, sources said.
News agency PTI reported citing official sources that the constable has been suspended and an FIR has been lodged against her.
National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma said strict action should be taken against the woman CISF constable who allegedly slapped newly elected BJP MP Kangana Ranaut at the Chandigarh airport.
The constable has been suspended and an FIR registered 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.
Ranaut was allegedly slapped when she was on her way to Delhi.
NCW chairperson Sharma said it is a serious matter as the people who are responsible for security at the airport are breaching it.
"Strict action should be taken against the lady CISF personnel. We at @NCWIndia have taken up this matter with @CISFHQrs," Sharma said in a post on X.
Leader of Opposition and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur commented, " It is very unfortunate. Nobody has the right to harm anyone. Kangana was going to Delhi to attend a party meeting. In fact, I am also heading to International Airport Chandigarh to take a flight for Delhi in the evening to attend the party meeting in the national capital.’’
The Bollywood actor was elected to Lok Sabha from Mandi Constituency in Himachal Pradesh where she defeated her nearest Congress rival by over 74,000 votes.
(With inputs from PTI)