Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has changed her tone on Gen Z, calling the younger generation “the strength of our country” just days after sharply criticising young protesters and women involved in demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, states Hindustan Times.
Speaking to PTI on Friday, Kangana praised young Indians for embracing the country’s cultural identity and described them as important ambassadors of Indian culture.
“Gen Z is the strength of our country and, in a way, a great asset to our nation. We are very happy that our young people are increasingly emerging as ambassadors of our culture and its identity,” she said.
The BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh also referred to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent comments about the younger generation.
“We have also had the opportunity to listen to Mohan Bhagwat ji, whom we hold in the highest regard, and benefit from his wisdom and experience. It is a matter of great happiness that the country’s youth are connecting with us and embracing our cultural identity,” Kangana said.
Kangana’s latest remarks come shortly after she launched a strong criticism of young protesters over their language and behaviour during demonstrations.
In a series of videos, she criticised what she described as the “ugliness” of Gen Z protests and questioned the way some young people spoke about political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Never in my life I have seen so much ugliness in one place,” she said, reacting to videos from the protests.
She also criticised young women participating in the demonstrations, describing them as a “new generation of so-called westernised Indian women” and saying, “I call them generation gutter.”
Reacting to viral videos linked to NEET-related protests, Kangana later said she needed “some healing” and a “digital detox”.
“You call yourself cockroaches and look/behave like them as well… there is no paradox or juxtaposition there, just simply subjecting the world to your filth, garbage and ugliness,” she said.
Her comments sparked considerable discussion online, making her latest praise for Gen Z particularly notable.
On the work front, Kangana was most recently seen in Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, directed by Manoj Tapadia.
The film is based on the true story of nurses and hospital staff at Mumbai’s Cama Hospital who helped save patients during the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
