Two complaints have been filed against actor Kangana Ranaut for allegedly using foul language against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the police said Thursday evening.
According to one of the complainants, Ms Ranaut, in a video circulated on social media on September 9, used “inflammatory and derogatory words” against Mr Thackeray and, in so doing, “tried to diminish the character and challenge the dignity” of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Ms Ranaut, who is fighting the demolition of her Mumbai office at the Bombay High Court, had hit out at Mr Thackeray in a video released on Wednesday, in which she addressed him as “tu” (you).
“Uddhav Thackeray, tujhe kya lagta hai? (what do you think?) That you colluded along with the film mafia, demolished my home and took revenge on me? My home was demolished today, your arrogance will crumble tomorrow,” the actor said.
“This is the wheel of time. Remember, it never stays the same,” Ms Ranaut, 33, declared, hours after Mumbai’s civic body began demolishing what it claimed were illegal alterations to the actor’s office in the city’s Pali Hills area.
The demolition was stopped yesterday by the High Court after the actor filed a petition challenging the civic body’s move. The court said “prima facie (the demolition) does not appear to be bonafide”.
Ms Ranaut has claimed she is being targeted by the Maharashtra government, which runs the Mumbai municipal corporation, and with whom she is in the middle of a rapidly escalating political row.
This afternoon the Bombay High Court adjourned its hearing. The case will now be heard September 22.
Ms Ranaut’s fight with the ruling Shiv Sena started over comments on the Sushant Singh Rajput case that compared Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and additional comments that she no longer felt safe in Mumbai.
One of the two complaints filed against the actor today also claimed that by comparing “the alleged incident (that) happened against her with the Pundits of Kashmir” she had tried to create disharmony against a specific community.
The Sena lashed out at comparisons of Mumbai to PoK; senior leader Sanjay Raut responded with a slur and another suggested Ms Ranaut be slapped and face a sedition case.
Earlier this week Mr Thackeray took a swipe of his own at Ms Ranaut, albeit without naming the actor. Some people don’t have gratitude for the city where they earn their livelihood, the Chief Minister said.
The centre’s decision to provide Ms Ranaut with Y-Plus-level CRPF security has added more fuel to the fire; sources in the Home Ministry said the decision came after a “renewed threat” perception to the actor.
Ms Ranaut, who has frequently expressed her support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, is now the first actor to receive security at this level; Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are only two levels above her.
