Union Food and Industries Minister Chirag Paswan discussed several national issues with a Media House. During the interview, he addressed Kangana Ranaut’s controversial Gen-Z remark. The BJP MP from Mandi had called Gen-Z “gutter-level people”. When questioned about the comment, Kangana refused to apologise or clarify her statement. She said she had done nothing wrong. Kangana also referred to people calling themselves cockroaches. She added that cockroaches live in gutters.
Meanwhile, a news channel Political Editor Megha Prasad asked Chirag about Kangana’s language. Paswan expressed disappointment with the remark. He said political disagreements should not lead anyone to condemn an entire generation. According to him, attacking one organisation does not justify insulting a whole generation.
‘I also get troubled by such statements’
Chirag explained that every organisation contains people with different views and behaviours. He said he sometimes questions members within his own party. He asks why someone acted or spoke in a particular way. Consequently, he also becomes frustrated with such incidents. However, Paswan said the larger issue concerns the thinking of the government’s leading figure. He said that aspect matters more to him.
Paswan added that he continues his political journey with faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He described Modi as his Prime Minister. Therefore, Paswan said Modi’s views and thinking matter most to him.
‘Every organisation has people who say inappropriate things’
Paswan said people occasionally make inappropriate statements within large organisations. He also mentioned hearing communal remarks that he strongly rejects. During Sawan, he said some leaders demand restrictions on meat sales. Others, he added, demand nameplates outside shops. Paswan said he does not support such positions.
However, he questioned whether one person’s statement should lead him to reject an entire system. Instead, he said people should consider what their government’s leading figure says.
‘Calling an entire generation wrong is unacceptable’
Paswan directly called Kangana’s “gutter” remark wrong. He said criticising an organisation should never extend to an entire generation. Furthermore, he argued that political parties regularly correct leaders who use inappropriate language.
Paswan said he personally reprimands members within his party. Similarly, he said the BJP also checks its members. However, he stressed that large organisations cannot accept responsibility for every statement from every member.
