12 August,2026 05:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Kangana Ranaut (Pic/Instagram)
BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has landed in legal trouble over her remarks against students who protested during the agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak. Rajiv Gandhi Bar Association President and advocate Ramashankar Sharma has filed a case against Ranaut for allegedly referring to the protesting students as "Generation Gutter".
According to Sharma, the case has been filed before the Special Court for MPs and MLAs. The matter is scheduled to be heard on August 21. Speaking to ANI, Sharma said, "I have filed a suit against BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut in the Special Court for MPs/MLAs. The suit concerns Kangana Ranaut referring to students protesting at Jantar Mantar as the âgutter generation'." He further alleged that Ranaut had insulted students and their parents through her comments.
"This is a matter concerning the students' future. The court will hear the case on August 21," Sharma added. The legal action follows a series of posts Ranaut shared on her Instagram Stories during the student agitation. The actor-turned-politician criticised the protesters' behaviour, appearance and language, describing videos from the demonstrations as "puke-inducing".
In one of her posts, Ranaut wrote, "Never in my life have I seen so much ugliness in one place. These reels from Gen Z protests are puke-inducing." She went on to question the language and behaviour displayed in the videos. Ranaut also wrote, "Ewww, who is birthing and raising them?" In another post, she said she was "scarred" by the reels and needed a "healing, digital detox".
The BJP MP also specifically criticised young Hindu women participating in the protests. She questioned their desire to emulate independent working women while arguing that true independence comes with making one's own choices and taking responsibility for them.
Ranaut further wrote, "I call them Generation Gutter," while making critical remarks about the protesters' academic abilities, personal choices and conduct. Her comments have since drawn criticism, with Sharma taking legal recourse over what he described as an insult to students and their parents.
The student agitation was linked to concerns surrounding the NEET paper leak and demands for accountability and stronger measures to prevent examination irregularities. The protest was reportedly called off on July 25 after then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. The government subsequently agreed to demands including dropping cases, preventing police intimidation and introducing legislation aimed at curbing paper leaks.
With the court scheduled to hear Sharma's case on August 21, Ranaut's controversial comments have now become the subject of a legal proceeding.
