Rahul criticises BJP over Kangana's remarks

Congress president Kharge also attacked the BJP over the issue.

“PM Modi himself insulted farmers by calling them 'andolanjeevi' and 'parjeevi' (parasites) in Parliament, he even refused to observe two minutes of silence for the martyred farmers in Parliament,” he alleged.

“Modi ji also made a false promise of forming a committee on MSP and doubling farmers’ income. If Modi ji can do all this on his own, then what else does the country expect from his supporters, apart from insulting the martyred farmers!” Kharge said.

“This shameful and highly reprehensible anti-farmer ideology is the DNA of the Modi government,” he said.

Social media leader and Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the government should also clarify the actor-politician's allegations that the US and China were conspiring to create instability in the country.

Shrinate said at a press conference here: “No leader so far has used the words that Kangana Ranaut has used against farmers. When Kangana's statement sparked outrage, the BJP was questioned about its official stand.”

“Haryana elections are approaching and it is known that BJP is going to lose. In such a situation, BJP has given a statement expressing its disagreement with Kangana’s comments,” she said.

The Congress spokesperson said that if this was not the BJP's view, Kangana should be expelled from the party.

“Whoever said this about farmers has no right to sit in Parliament. Tell Kangana to apologise to farmers or BJP should apologise,” Shrinate said.

“Your MP (BJP) is saying that two foreign powers, America and China, were conspiring to create instability and unrest in India. Should the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs say whether this is true? If it is not true, then the government should say that it is not true,” the Congress leader said.

Shrinate said the government should provide an explanation.

If foreign powers create trouble in the country, then the Narendra Modi government is weak, she said.

The BJP had earlier said in a statement: “The statement made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut in the context of the farmers' movement does not reflect the party's view. The Bharatiya Janata Party expresses its disagreement with the statement made by Kangana Ranaut.”

On behalf of the BJP, Ranaut is neither authorised nor permitted to make statements on party political issues, he said.

“On behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Kangana Ranaut has been directed not to make such statements in future… The Bharatiya Janata Party is committed to following the principles of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas' and social harmony,” he added.