LUCKNOW: A dramatic moment unfolded during a Congress protest against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut in Lucknow when a police inspector snatched away the actor-politician’s effigy moments before it was set ablaze and ran from the spot.A video of the incident has since surfaced and is being widely shared on social media.The viral video shows a UP Police inspector suddenly grabbing a part of the effigy from the protesters before running away, as Congress workers chase him and raise slogans.The protest comes amid a political storm over Ranaut’s remarks on Gen Z women who participated in protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.Referring to women protesters, the BJP MP had questioned their conduct and used the term “generation gutter”, triggering sharp criticism from opposition parties and student groups.Following the backlash, Ranaut released a video on Instagram defending her remarks.She said her comments were directed at the behaviour of certain protesters and not at women in general, asking, “Excuse me, will you teach your daughter like this?”She also accused the protesters of using abusive language and indecent gestures.The controversy further escalated after Ranaut traded barbs with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das on social media.Citing Newton’s third law, she said every action has an equal and opposite reaction, while mocking his personal achievements and defending her criticism of the protesters.According to the Mahila Congress workers, Ranaut’s remarks insulted the “daughters of the nation”, and the effigy burning was organised to demand an unconditional apology.The footage of the dramatic police intervention has since gone viral on social media, adding another flashpoint to the political row over Ranaut’s remarks.
