Shimla, July 20,
Bollywood actress and newly elected BJP Member of Parliament from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, is facing widespread criticism and social media trolling for her recent remarks concerning the devastating monsoon-triggered disaster in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh.
While addressing the media ahead of the Parliament’s monsoon session, Ranaut referred to the natural calamity in Mandi as an “earthquake,” a gaffe that has since gone viral online. “We are shortly going to attend the Parliamentary session, and all MPs will discuss Operation Sindoor, which marks the victory of our armed forces, and the issue of the big earthquake in Mandi will be raised,” Ranaut stated.
The incident she alluded to was not an earthquake but a deadly cloudburst and landslide that struck the Siraj, Bagsaid, and Thunag areas of Mandi on June 30, leading to significant loss of life and property. Her mischaracterization of the disaster has been widely viewed as insensitive and lacking awareness, especially given the gravity of the situation.
Adding to the criticism was her delayed visit to the affected regions. Ranaut arrived in the disaster-hit areas five days after the tragedy, citing poor road conditions and heavy rainfall as the reason for her late arrival. “I do not have a cabinet to do much in times of crisis. I have two brothers, including my brother Jai Ram Thakur,” she said, referring to the former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and senior BJP leader. This comment too drew online backlash for appearing dismissive.
When questioned, Jai Ram Thakur refrained from directly responding to the controversy. “I do not want to comment on leaders who did not rush to Mandi when people needed them the most,” he stated.
Following growing criticism, the BJP high command stepped in, deploying senior leaders including BJP National President J.P. Nadda and Union Minister Anurag Thakur to visit the disaster-affected regions and review relief efforts.
With the monsoon session of Parliament underway, the issue is expected to resurface in national discussions. BJP MPs are set to highlight “Operation Sindoor,” the recent military operation in Jammu and Kashmir, while opposition parties—led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi—have demanded a special session to debate both the Pahalgam terror incident and the delay in relief for Himachal Pradesh.
Political observers note that Ranaut’s remarks may deepen scrutiny of her role as a first-time MP during times of crisis, especially in a disaster-prone state like Himachal Pradesh.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
