Police Inspector Seizes Kangana Ranaut Effigy Amid Congress Protest in Lucknow

In Lucknow, members of the Indian National Congress organized a protest against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, whose remarks on Gen Z women involved in the NEET-UG 2026 paper-leak protests were condemned as insulting. Protesters built an effigy of the actress-politician and planned to ignite it, but a Uttar Pradesh police inspector abruptly seized the figure and fled, triggering slogans and a chase by Congress supporters. Ranaut later posted a video on Instagram defending her statements, saying they targeted specific protesters, not women in general.

She also exchanged barbs on social media with Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das, invoking Newton’s third law. Mahila Congress workers said the effigy burning demanded an unconditional apology for hurting the "daughters of the nation." The incident’s video quickly went viral, adding another flashpoint to the ongoing political controversy.