Chandigarh: Kiranjit Singh, the Punjab Kisan Congress chief, voiced support on Saturday for the CISF woman constable involved in an alleged altercation with actor and BJP MP-elect Kangana Ranaut, calling for an impartial investigation into the incident.
Singh criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his silence on the matter.
Constable Kulwinder Kaur, accused of slapping Ranaut and using abusive language during a security check at Chandigarh airport on Thursday, has been suspended. An FIR has been filed against her, reportedly stemming from Ranaut’s controversial views on the farmers’ protests. The CISF has initiated a court of inquiry, while Mohali police have charged Kaur under IPC Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 (wrongful restraint), both bailable offenses.
Speaking to the media, Singh questioned the basis for filing an FIR in the absence of CCTV footage of the alleged incident.
“Why was an FIR registered when there is no evidence of the slapping incident? A fair investigation is necessary,” he asserted.
Singh expressed solidarity on behalf of Punjab Kisan Congress members with Kaur and her family, pledging unwavering support.
Singh also condemned Ranaut for her remarks linking Punjab to rising terrorism and extremism.
Further, Singh criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his lack of response to the issue.
“If the CM claims to support farmers, why has he not addressed this matter? He should clarify his stance,” Singh demanded.
The Punjab Kisan Congress chief urged newly-elected MPs from Punjab to raise the issue in Parliament.
Following the incident at Chandigarh airport, Ranaut, in a video statement, alleged that she was slapped and verbally abused by the constable, sparking a controversy just two days after her election to the Lok Sabha from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.
In a subsequent video titled “Shocking rise in terror and violence in Punjab,” Ranaut expressed concern over increasing extremism in Punjab and emphasized the need for effective measures to address it.
A circulating video on social media shows the constable, evidently upset, discussing the incident with others.
“Kangana had previously remarked that protesters in Delhi were paid Rs 100 or Rs 200. At that time, my mother was one of those protesters,” she stated in the video clip.
Various farmer organizations, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have extended support to the CISF constable.
