BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut on Friday appeared to walk back her recent controversial remarks branding Gen Z as the "gutter generation," stating outside Parliament that the younger generation represents "our power" and serves as a source of pride for the country. The Mandi parliamentarian dismissed attempts to generalize an entire demographic, arguing that the actions of a mere 10 to 15 individuals abusing or misrepresenting the youth should not define Gen Z as a whole. She emphasized that the majority of young people continue to contribute positively to national progress, noting that Gen Z's mandate remains an integral part of the government's developmental vision.
Defending the youth, Ranaut highlighted positive examples of student participation beyond viral social media clips, specifically praising students protesting exam recruitment issues in Jharkhand and athletes who dedicated their international medals to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the actor-politician also challenged the generation to demonstrate their constructive potential by actively turning up for social causes, such as Environment Day campaigns and supporting local handloom weavers. She asserted that genuine community engagement, rather than online controversy, should be the true hallmark of the generation.
Her latest stance marks a significant shift from her social media posts ten days prior, where she had severely criticized youth-led demonstrations by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) regarding NEET-UG examination irregularities. In her earlier Instagram stories, Ranaut had accused student protesters of glorifying substance abuse, damaging public property, and living off parental earnings while labeling them "gutter generation" and "cockroaches". The harsh criticism had drawn widespread condemnation from Opposition leaders, including Congress and AIMIM representatives, who demanded an apology for insulting the nation's youth.