Background of the Case

BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut appeared in the Bathinda court, Punjab, on Monday in a defamation case linked to her social media post during the 2020-21 farmers’ protest. The case concerns 73-year-old Mahinder Kaur, who alleged that Kangana defamed her by wrongly identifying her as a Shaheen Bagh protester, Bilkis Bano, and implying that such women could be hired to protest for ₹100.

Kangana’s Court Appearance and Apology

Kangana clarified that the issue was a “misunderstanding” and expressed respect for all women, saying:

“Every ‘mata’ (mother), whether from Punjab or Himachal, is respectable to me.”

She explained that she had not made comments against any individual and had communicated her apology to Mahinder Kaur’s husband, as the complainant herself was not present in court.

Kangana stated:

“Whatever misunderstanding occurred with the family of Mahinder ji, I addressed it respectfully with her husband. There was no intent to defame anyone.”

She also mentioned that a retweet, which was circulated as a meme, contributed to the misunderstanding, and she regrets the confusion caused.

Legal Proceedings So Far

• February 2022: Judicial magistrate in Bathinda issued summons directing Kangana to appear in court.

• July 2022: Kangana approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court to quash the defamation complaint and the summoning order, which was dismissed.

• September 12, 2025: Kangana’s plea in the Supreme Court was declined. Later, her counsel withdrew the special leave petition (SLP).

Previous Related Incidents

In 2024, Kangana was slapped by a female constable during a security check at Chandigarh airport. This incident was linked to her controversial remarks about the farmers’ protest.

Key Takeaways

• Kangana Ranaut officially apologised for the misunderstanding in court.

• She emphasised respect for all women (‘mata’) and clarified that there was no malicious intent.

• The case reflects the ongoing sensitivity around farmers’ protests and public commentary on social media.