Kangana Ranaut clarifies ‘Cockroach’ and ‘Gutter’ remarks after backlash

Indian actress and BJP Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut has clarified her controversial remarks involving the words “cockroach” and “gutter” after facing strong criticism on social media.

Indian actress and BJP Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut has clarified her controversial remarks involving the words “cockroach” and “gutter” after facing strong criticism on social media.

Kangana said her comments were not directed at the entire younger generation. Instead, she claimed that she was referring to specific individuals and certain women while discussing social issues and the importance of responsibility alongside personal freedom.

Her earlier remarks triggered a significant reaction online after she criticized the way some young Hindu women expressed their freedom. In that context, she reportedly used the phrase “Generation Gutter,” leading critics to accuse her of making a sweeping statement about young people.

Speaking to Indian news agency ANI, Kangana explained that her comments were made in the context of protests at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. She stressed that she was not making a general statement about all young people.

According to Kangana, she had specifically referred to certain people or some women, and it was therefore unfair to interpret her comments as an attack on the entire younger generation.

She also addressed her controversial reference to a “cockroach.” Kangana argued that if someone describes themselves as a cockroach, saying that cockroaches come from a gutter should not be considered offensive.

The actress said that she does not consider herself a cockroach. If someone told her that she lived in a gutter, she would reject the claim. However, she questioned why the reference would be considered offensive if a person themselves used the term “cockroach” to describe their identity or behavior.

Kangana further rejected the interpretation that she had compared all young people to a gutter. She said that discussing problems such as drug use, betting, gambling or dark-web activities among a particular section of young people does not mean that the entire younger generation should be viewed in the same way.

She questioned why comments about a specific group or certain women were being presented as a generalized criticism of all young people.

The clarification comes amid continuing debate over the responsibilities that accompany personal freedom, particularly among young people. Kangana maintained that her intention was to highlight certain behaviors and social problems rather than criticize an entire generation.

The controversy has once again drawn attention to Kangana’s outspoken public statements, which frequently generate strong reactions online and in political and entertainment circles.

By clarifying her comments, the actress has sought to distance herself from the interpretation that she was labeling the entire younger generation as “gutter” or making a blanket criticism of young people.