Daijiworld Media Network - Mandi

Mandi, Jul 7: Actor-turned-politician and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has landed in controversy after her remarks during a visit to the flood-ravaged areas of Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district were labelled ‘insensitive’ by the Congress party.

While speaking to the media on Sunday during her first visit to the disaster-affected region, Ranaut joked, “Whether it's disaster relief or the disaster itself – I don't have any official cabinet. I have my two brothers with me. That’s my cabinet." She further added, laughing, "I do not have funds for disaster relief or hold any Cabinet post. MPs are limited to Parliament work. We are very small in the scheme of things.”

Though the Mandi MP later assured people that she would seek help from the central government for disaster relief and praised ongoing army-led rescue operations, the initial tone of her remarks triggered sharp criticism.

Congress posted a clip of the video on X, calling her words inappropriate amid a time of severe tragedy. "A cloudburst in Mandi has caused massive destruction. People are distressed. Kangana arrived after several days and, laughing, said – 'What can I do, I don't have a cabinet position.' Please show some sensitivity," the party wrote.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate added, “Her insensitivity even left BJP’s Jairam Thakur stunned. Kangana visited for the first time after the tragedy, and all she brought was sarcasm and mockery.”

Earlier, Kangana had been under fire for her delay in addressing the crisis and absence from ground-zero. The backlash intensified after former Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur responded cryptically when asked about her whereabouts: “I do not know and I do not wish to comment. We are here to live and die for those who care.” Congress was quick to pick up on this, stating, “This is not us saying Kangana Ranaut doesn’t care — it’s former CM Jairam Thakur.”

Following the criticism, Kangana issued a clarification, saying she was advised by Jairam Thakur to wait until connectivity was restored in affected regions. “It is heartbreaking to see massive flood devastation in Himachal almost every year now. I tried reaching flood-affected areas in Seraj and Mandi but was advised to wait due to connectivity issues,” she posted.

Himachal Pradesh has recorded 78 deaths since the monsoon began on June 20, including 50 due to landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, and 28 in road accidents. The Mandi district, in particular, has borne the brunt with numerous cloudburst incidents, 156 road blockages, and the highest number of fatalities.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) has estimated the damage at Rs 572 cr, though Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has suggested the figure may reach Rs 700 cr. Relief measures include Rs 5,000 per month rental aid for displaced families.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a flash flood alert in 10 districts as rains continue to lash the region.