Kangana Ranaut Defends ‘Cockroaches’ Remark: ‘If They Call Themselves Cockroaches, Why Offended?’ (Video)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has defended her recent controversial social media remarks targeting student protesters, asserting that her comments were directed solely at a specific group rather than the entire youth population.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has defended her recent controversial social media remarks targeting student protesters, asserting that her comments were directed solely at a specific group rather than the entire youth population. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, the Mandi parliamentarian clarified her stance regarding her "cockroach" and "gutter" references, which followed demonstrations organized under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over exam paper leak allegations.
Ranaut argued that her comments were taken out of context. She emphasized that if protesters adopt self-deprecating labels, they should not object when those terms are reflected back at them. "Those who call themselves cockroaches, and we say that cockroaches emerge from gutters, what is wrong with that?" Ranaut said. "My point is simply this: if people label themselves as cockroaches, and we say the gutter is their home, why should they be offended?" Kangana Ranaut on Gen Z: BJP MP Clarifies 'Generation Gutter' Remark, Says It Wasn't Meant for All Youth (Video).
Addressing accusations that she insulted the nation’s youth, the BJP MP clarified that her remarks targeted specific instances of drug addiction, online gambling, and behavioral concerns rather than making a blanket statement. "Did I say that all youth belong in the gutter? I specifically referred to some people or some women," she noted, framing her earlier comments as an intervention against societal issues affecting certain segments of young people.
Ranaut also dismissed opposition leaders demanding direct one-on-one responses from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding parliamentary disputes. Taking a sharp swipe at critics, she remarked, “Do you expect Amit Shah ji to come out into the Parliament courtyard and answer you one-on-one? So, what can you expect from people with such low IQs?” ‘It Was Such a Headache To Listen to Him’: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Slams Rahul Gandhi’s Women’s Reservation Bill Speech as a ‘Magic Show’ (Watch Video).
‘I Certainly Don’t Consider Myself a Cockroach’
#WATCH | Delhi: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut says, "Those who call themselves cockroaches, and we say that cockroaches emerge from gutters, what is wrong with that? My point is simply this: if people label themselves as cockroaches, and we say the gutter is their home, why should they… pic.twitter.com/TtXiTzgOlP
— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2026
The row stems from a series of posts on social media where Ranaut criticized videos coming out of recent student demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, labeling them "puke-inducing" and referring to participating youth as "Generation Gutter". Opposition parties and student groups have strongly condemned the remarks, calling for an apology, while Ranaut maintains that her criticism was directed at unlawful behavior and societal ills.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 12, 2026 08:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
