On Monday, BJP MP and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut appeared in a Bathinda court in Punjab to address a defamation case filed against her regarding comments she made during the 2020-21 farmers’ protest. The case revolves around her social media post concerning a 73-year-old woman, Mahinder Kaur, which allegedly defamed the elderly protester. Kangana described the situation as a “misunderstanding” and clarified that she has the utmost respect for all elderly women, whom she referred to as ‘mata’, meaning mother.

The legal dispute stems from a post made by Kangana on X, formerly known as Twitter, during the farmers’ agitation against the now-repealed farm laws. In the post, she allegedly misidentified Mahinder Kaur as another protester, Bilkis Bano, a Shaheen Bagh activist. The content of her post suggested that women like the complainant could be hired to participate in protests for as little as ₹100. Mahinder Kaur’s complaint claimed that this wrongful identification and implication had defamed her reputation and brought her into public disrepute.

Court Appearance and Apology

During her appearance in the Bathinda court, Kangana Ranaut emphasised that her post had led to an unintended misunderstanding, and she expressed her regret over any distress caused to Mahinder Kaur and her family. She told reporters that she had personally apologised to the complainant’s husband in court, noting that Mahinder Kaur herself was not present. Kangana made it clear that her comments were not directed at any individual and were misinterpreted in the context of the social media post. She said,

“Whatever misunderstanding happened with the family of Mahinder ji, I gave a message to ‘mata ji’ to her husband about how she was the victim of a misunderstanding.”

Further, Kangana reiterated her respect for elderly women, stating:

“Never in my dreams could I imagine this… Every ‘mata’, be she from Punjab or Himachal, is respectable to me.”

When asked whether she acknowledged committing a mistake, she clarified that upon careful consideration of the case, there was nothing in her conduct that could be deemed intentionally offensive. Kangana explained that the controversy arose partly because of a retweet used as a meme, which was misconstrued as a personal comment by her. She also stated that she had personally discussed the misunderstanding with Mahinder Kaur’s husband to ensure that her position and intentions were clearly communicated.

Kangana emphasised that her social media activity was never intended to defame or insult any individual, but rather the post was meant as a commentary on broader social issues during the farmers’ protest. She expressed regret over the misunderstanding and the legal complications that followed as a result of public interpretation of her post.

Legal Timeline

The defamation case against Kangana Ranaut has been ongoing for several years and involves multiple layers of judicial scrutiny. The legal proceedings began in February 2022, when a judicial magistrate in Bathinda issued summons directing Kangana to appear before the court in connection with Mahinder Kaur’s complaint.

Dissatisfied with the lower court’s order, Kangana approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court in July 2022, seeking to quash both the defamation complaint and the magistrate’s summons. Her petition argued that the complaint lacked merit and that the summoning order was unwarranted given the circumstances of the case. However, the High Court dismissed her petition, holding that the complaint warranted judicial consideration, thus compelling her to appear before the trial court.

Following the High Court’s dismissal, Kangana escalated the matter to the Supreme Court of India, seeking to challenge the summoning order and have the defamation complaint quashed. On September 12, 2025, the Supreme Court declined to entertain her plea, effectively upholding the lower court’s and High Court’s decisions. After the apex court’s refusal, Kangana’s counsel chose to withdraw the special leave petition (SLP), leaving the matter to be addressed in the trial court.

Context of the Farmers’ Protest and Controversy

The controversy surrounding Kangana’s post is deeply intertwined with the broader socio-political context of the 2020-21 farmers’ protest in India. The protests, primarily led by farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and other northern states, were aimed at challenging three farm laws passed by the central government. The agitation gained nationwide attention and was marked by mass gatherings, road blockades, and extended demonstrations in Delhi and other regions.

During this period, several high-profile individuals, including politicians, actors, and public commentators, expressed their opinions on social media regarding the protests. Kangana Ranaut, known for her outspoken and often controversial statements, posted remarks that were intended as commentary on the events. However, her identification of Mahinder Kaur as a protester and the suggestion of a financial motive led to the defamation allegation, highlighting the sensitivity of public discourse and the risks of social media commentary in politically charged contexts.

Related Incidents

Kangana Ranaut’s involvement in controversies related to the farmers’ protest is not limited to this defamation case. In 2024, she was involved in a separate incident at Chandigarh airport, where she was slapped by a female constableduring a mandatory security check. This altercation was reportedly linked to public outrage over her remarks regarding the farmers’ protest. The airport incident received widespread media coverage and further intensified public scrutiny of her comments during that period.

Significance of the Apology

Kangana’s apology in the Bathinda court marks a notable step in attempting to resolve the dispute amicably. By apologising to Mahinder Kaur’s family and clarifying the nature of her post, she seeks to address the legal and reputational consequences of the defamation case while maintaining that her statements were misunderstood rather than intentionally harmful.

The apology also highlights a broader trend in legal cases involving social media commentary in India, where public figures are increasingly being held accountable for statements that may affect individual reputations or misrepresent facts. The case underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and protection from defamation, particularly in highly sensitive socio-political contexts such as mass protests and civil movements.

Current Status and Next Steps

With the withdrawal of her Supreme Court petition and her appearance in the Bathinda court, Kangana’s legal focus is now on the trial proceedings. While the apology does not automatically resolve the defamation case, it may influence the court’s perception and contribute to a potentially more conciliatory approach toward resolution.

As of Monday, Kangana’s statements have been recorded in court, and she has made efforts to communicate directly with Mahinder Kaur’s family. The proceedings will continue as per judicial protocols, with the court considering evidence, context, and the intent behind her social media post. Legal experts note that while the apology may not negate the complaint, it could mitigate potential punitive measures if the court deems that the remarks were not intended to harm or malign the complainant.

Conclusion

Kangana Ranaut’s defamation case in Bathinda represents a complex intersection of social media, public commentary, political sensitivities, and legal accountability. Her appearance in court and subsequent apology to Mahinder Kaur’s family demonstrate an effort to clarify intent, acknowledge misunderstandings, and uphold respect for individuals affected by her posts.

The case also serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that public figures bear when commenting on contentious social issues, and the potential legal ramifications of statements made on digital platforms. As India continues to navigate the challenges of free expression and defamation in the digital age, cases like Kangana’s are likely to set precedents regarding the limits of social media commentary, the interpretation of intent, and the mechanisms for resolving disputes arising from public statements.

Kangana’s apology, while a personal gesture, may also contribute to a broader dialogue on accountability, respect, and clarity in public communication, reinforcing the importance of mindful discourse in a democratic society.