Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut sparked controversy after referring to a section of young Hindu women as “generation gutter”, accusing them of flaunting freedom without accountability. Amid the backlash, Kangana has now clarified her remarks to news agency ANI. Kangana stressed that she wasn’t referring to all young people or everyone at the Jantar Mantar protest over the NEET-UG paper leak, but only to specific individuals and women. “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 be offended? I certainly don’t consider myself a cockroach. If someone were to say I live in a gutter, I would deny it. But if someone claims to be a cockroach, then naturally, they would live in a gutter. Where else? But to claim that I was referring to all youth is simply not the case,” she said. Addressing concerns around youth and addiction, she added, “If some young people use drugs, or if we discuss the current trend of addiction involving drugs, betting, gambling, or the dark web, addressing a specific segment of the youth doesn’t mean I was making a blanket statement about everyone. Did I say that all youth belong to the gutter? I specifically referred to some people or some women. So, how else should we address this?” Clarifying her statement, Kangana stressed that she was not referring to everyone who participated in the Jantar Mantar protest over the NEET-UG paper leak. According to the actor-politician, her comments were directed specifically at certain individuals and women. “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 be offended? I certainly don’t consider myself a cockroach. If someone were to say I live in a gutter, I would deny it. But if someone claims to be a cockroach, then naturally, they would live in a gutter. Where else? But to claim that I was referring to all youth is simply not the case,” she said. Kangana further explained that her remarks were aimed at discussing specific concerns among young people, including substance abuse and other harmful activities. “If some young people use drugs, or if we discuss the current trend of addiction involving drugs, betting, gambling, or the dark web, addressing a specific segment of the youth doesn’t mean I was making a blanket statement about everyone. Did I say that all youth belong to the gutter? I specifically referred to some people or some women. So, how else should we address this?” she asked.
#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
