Raipur: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has said India needs Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership “more than ever,” criticising the Opposition amid a political row over remarks describing the ongoing agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as a fight for “regime change”.
Speaking in Raipur on Sunday, Ranaut referred to recent unrest in France to underline her argument that strong leadership was essential in the current global climate. She said incidents of violence, arson and looting highlighted the importance of political stability, adding that the Opposition’s actions reinforced the need for Modi’s leadership.
“You saw what happened in France just last night, everything was set ablaze; from historic structures to shops, everything was looted,” Ranaut said, describing the international situation as reminiscent of a possible third world war.
Her remarks come amid a political controversy sparked by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan’s description of the agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as a “fight for regime change”. All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora also drew a comparison with the Gen Z-led movement in Bangladesh.
Kangana Ranaut Expresses Grief Over Kolkata Stampede
Alongside her political comments, Ranaut expressed condolences to the families affected by the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata. She described the incident as heartbreaking, particularly because it occurred during the festive season, when people gather to celebrate.
Urging people to remain cautious at crowded venues, the BJP MP asked the public to avoid overcrowded places as more festivals approach, including Dussehra and Diwali.
The stampede occurred when a large crowd of devotees surged at the Durga Puja venue. The incident claimed 19 lives, while 25 people were hospitalised, according to the information provided.
Bengal Government Announces Compensation for Victims
West Bengal Cabinet Minister Umesh Rai said the state government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the incident. He described the stampede as a case of “mismanagement”.
The state government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh and a government job for the next of kin of each person who died in the incident. It has also announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for every injured person.
The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the crowd surge and the arrangements made to manage devotees at the pandal.
Kolkata Police Impose Prohibitory Orders
Following the tragedy, Kolkata Police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in sensitive parts of the city. The restrictions will remain in force from October 18 to October 20 to maintain law and order and prevent further untoward incidents.
The incident has also prompted renewed calls for caution at crowded festive gatherings. With several major celebrations approaching, crowd management and public safety remain key concerns for authorities.