Freedom to express includes right to disagree: Rijiju wades into Kangana-Kriti row

Kiren Rijiju defended Kangana Ranaut's right to criticise Kriti Sanon, saying freedom of expression includes the right to disagree. He also condemned abusive remarks against PM Modi while backing criticism and political opposition. On the Manusmriti debate, Rijiju said people were free to accept or reject religious texts, as India is governed by the Constitution.Kangana vs Kriti: Rijiju says freedom to express includes right to disagreeUnion Minister Kiren Rijiju waded into the controversy over BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s criticism of actor Kriti Sanon over her attire in the now-withdrawn Rakhi advertisement, saying freedom of expression cannot be restricted to one side. He argued that if someone has the right to express their views, the other person also has the right to disagree.In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Rijiju was asked about the social media campaign against Sanon, including Ranaut’s remarks, over a jewellery advertisement in which she wore a bralette-style blouse, a cape and a draped skirt while tying a rakhi.“If you have freedom to express things as per your choice, why are you restricting others from disagreeing or opposing that?” Rijiju asked.Asked whether BJP leaders should exercise restraint, Rijiju said his role as Parliamentary Affairs Minister allowed him to guide MPs on parliamentary procedure, but not dictate what they should say. Rijiju then said he could advise her on parliamentary functioning, while her views outside Parliament remained her personal choice.“As Parliamentary Affairs minister, I can guide her with parliamentary procedure, but I can't guide her on what to speak, what not to speak,” he said. Rijiju was also asked about Ranaut’s controversial “gutter generation” remark aimed at Gen Z protesters.He said he had heard Ranaut’s clarification and argued that she was referring specifically to people who abused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother, rather than condemning an entire generation.“The Prime Minister has shown his big heart,” Rijiju said.He condemned abusive language against the Prime Minister, particularly when directed at his deceased mother.“Just imagine, 17- and 18-year-old girls abusing the Prime Minister and his mother. Is that Indian culture?” Rijiju asked.At the same time, he stressed that criticism and political opposition were legitimate.“You can criticise, you can oppose,” he said.Asked whether the same standard should apply to young men and women, rather than expecting girls to behave more “docilely”, Rijiju said it should.“For me, boys and girls should be equal,” he said.He added that he would not remain silent if anyone abused the Prime Minister, regardless of whether the person was male or female.“I will never, never, ever remain silent if somebody abuses,” Rijiju said, adding that he would tell them such behaviour was wrong.The discussion also turned towards the debate over Manusmriti.Asked whether a young woman who opposed patriarchal passages in the Manusmriti should be considered anti-Hindu, Rijiju rejected the suggestion. He cited the example of people who left Hinduism and embraced Buddhism under the influence of BR Ambedkar.“Who has jailed them?” Rijiju asked, arguing that disagreement with a religious text cannot by itself be treated as an offence.He said Hinduism had historically allowed people to leave the faith and embrace another religion, describing this as evidence of the space available for individual choice.“Hindu is the only liberal religion which has allowed this to happen,” Rijiju said.Rijiju reiterated that the Manusmriti is not the basis of governance in India.“The government is not putting Manusmriti as the yardstick to govern. India is run by the Constitution. The spirit of our Constitution governs, not Manusmriti,” he said.He described the Manusmriti as a belief system and said people had the democratic right to either subscribe to it or oppose it.“If somebody believes in it, then you have a right to oppose and you have a right to defend. That is democracy,” Rijiju said.He said the same principle should apply to people who hold religious beliefs that others disagree with, while drawing a line between expressing an opinion and advocating violence or separatism.“If you say you want to break India, cut India's 'chicken's neck' and break Northeast, I will be the first person to tell he should be convicted,” he said.- EndsPublished By: Sayan GangulyPublished On: Aug 26, 2026 23:33 IST