BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has sparked a political and social media storm after making controversial remarks about young protesters at Jantar Mantar, referring to them as the “gutter generation” and questioning their values, upbringing and understanding of independence.
In a series of posts shared on Instagram Stories, Ranaut criticised what she described as a section of Gen Z youth, particularly young women, accusing them of seeking freedom without financial independence or personal responsibility.
Drawing a contrast between self-reliant women and what she called a “Western-influenced” generation, Ranaut wrote that women who are genuinely independent build careers, make difficult choices and take responsibility for their decisions rather than relying on their families. She claimed many young people today enjoy freedom while continuing to depend financially on their parents, describing them as the “gutter generation.”
The BJP MP also questioned the behaviour and language of the protesters, saying she was disturbed by what she described as a decline in civility and values. She said India’s identity has long been associated with culture and decency, adding that the conduct displayed by some protesters had prompted her to consider taking a break from social media.
Ranaut further alleged that many of the demonstrators contributed little to society while demanding unrestricted personal freedom. In her post, she criticised those who, according to her, were unwilling to pursue studies, careers or household responsibilities but continued to depend on their families while celebrating what they considered independence. She argued that freedom should be earned through responsibility and self-reliance.
The remarks quickly went viral, triggering widespread criticism on social media. While some users supported her views, many others accused the MP of making sweeping generalisations about an entire generation and criticised her choice of language.
Opposition leaders also condemned the statements. Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla said Ranaut’s comments reflected a lack of seriousness towards public concerns. Congress MP Sukhdev Bhagat remarked that her political statements were rarely taken seriously.
Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, Tikaram Julie, questioned Ranaut’s criticism of the protest, arguing that she had remained silent on issues that prompted the demonstrations, including the alleged examination paper leak and the concerns of affected students.
Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari also criticised the actor-politician, while Congress MP Imran Masood questioned her educational qualifications and challenged her comments on students and youth.
The controversy has once again placed Ranaut at the centre of a political debate, with her remarks drawing both support and criticism across social media and the political spectrum.