Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut sparked a furious outcry on Thursday while visiting flood-hit areas of Manali — with locals waving black flags and shouting ‘go back’ slogans at the BJP MP. Heated arguments also broke out after the Mandi lawmaker urged locals to “understand” her pain and suffering. Heavy rains had triggered landslides and flash floods at several places in Himachal Pradesh over the past few months — killing hundreds of people and leaving thousands more displaced.
‘Please understand my pain’
Videos that have since gone viral showed the Lok Sabha MP facing “go back, Kangana, you are late” chants after her car-cade reached Patlikuhal in Kullu. Locals were also seen waving black flags as she tried to interact with the victims. Ranaut also spoke to local officials and visited several flood-affected areas of Manali to inspect the damage.
“My restaurant is also here, and it made a sale of only Rs 50 yesterday. We pay Rs 15 lakh in salaries only, and we could only do a business of Rs 50. Imagine what I must have gone through. Please understand my pain. I am a Himachali. I am a single woman. Don’t attack me as if I am not doing anything,” Ranaut can be heard saying in response.
Hundreds killed, several areas remain at risk
Former MLA and BJP leader Govind Singh Thakur briefed Ranaut on the situation, noting that families from 15 to 16 endangered houses have been relocated to safer locations. Locals expressed concerns that the entire Solang village is at risk of landslides due to the erosion of the mountain by the Beas river. They suggested that redirecting the river’s course should be an immediate priority.
Since the onset of the monsoon this year, the Himalayan state has witnessed 46 cloudbursts, 98 flash floods and 146 major landslides, while 424 people have died. Of those dead, 242 lost their lives in rain-related incidents and 182 in road accidents. About 481 people have suffered injuries, while 45 are still missing.
(With inputs from agencies)