Kangana Ranaut’s reaction after Congress leader claims she eats beef

Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, the BJP candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh, on Monday rejected a Congress leader’s allegation that she once ate beef, saying she’s a “proud Hindu”.

She also dismissed the allegation as “completely baseless rumours” levelled against her.

Taking to X, the actor-turned-politician said, “I don’t consume beef or any other kind of red meat, it is shameful that completely baseless rumours are being spread about me,”

“I have been advocating and promoting yogic and Ayurvedic way of life for decades now such tactics won’t work to tarnish my image. My people know me and they know that I am a proud Hindu and nothing can ever mislead them, Jai Shri Ram,” she added.

Ranaut’s response came after Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Maharasthtra Assembly, alleged that the BJP Lok Sabha candidate had once tweeted that she liked and consumed beef and the party has now given her a ticket to contest the upcoming polls.

While addressing a rally in Maharashtra on April 5, Wadettiwar also claimed that the BJP “welcoming” all corrupt leaders.

Several BJP leaders came to Ranaut’s support in view of the allegation.

In a statement, BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said Wadettiwar’s remark “reflects Congress’ dirty culture”.

“It cannot fight us on issues. This shows the party’s defeatist mentality,” he was quoted as saying by PTI news agency.

The latest controversy came just weeks after a scantily-clad image of Kangana Ranaut, with a derogatory caption, was shared on Congress leader Supriya Shrinate’s Instagram account.

At the time, she came down heavily on Shrinate, saying “every woman deserves her dignity”.

The post was shared a day after the BJP named Ranaut as its candidate from Himachal’s Mandi Lok Sabha seat.