91-year-old freedom fighter Leela Chitale slams Kangana for her ‘bheek’ remark; calls it 'treason'

Kangana Ranaut. File pic

Actor Kangana Ranaut's recent remark on India's independence hasn't gone down well with many public figures across the country. A 91-year-old freedom fighter Leela Chitale, has now slammed Kangana on her statement where she said that the freedom India got in 1947 was ‘bheekh'.

In a widely circulated video on social media, Leela Chitale in Marathi says, "Recently, I saw of a news being continuously broadcast of a woman named Kangana Ranaut saying that the country got freedom in ‘Bheekh (alms)'. Watching it made me uneasy and angry."

Kangana had said, "Vo azaadi nahi thi, vo bheek thi. Jo azaadi mili hai, vo 2014 mei mili hai (The freedom that we got in 1947 was given as alms. We got real freedom in 2014)."

"When I was 12, I went to jail for a day because Gandhiji told us to boycott English education," Leela Chitale said.

The agitated freedom fighter requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi take action against the actor.

Also read: Progeny of freedom fighters cleave into Kangana Ranaut for her ‘bheek' remark

"I condemn this statement. I request our Prime Minister to impart her some wisdom. I'm not asking you to jail her but she should be made to understand.

Respected Prime Minister should tell the country, this is called ‘treason.' If the youth is told that we got freedom in ‘bheekh', what will they think about it? Action should be taken against her so that such thinking does not spread," she said.

Who is Leela Chitale?

Leela Chitale, originally from Babhulgaon village in Akola district, is fondly called as Leelatai in Maharashtra. She is a renowned social worker, activist and freedom fighter who also took part in the Quit India movement.