DCW chief writes 'Kangana Ranaut appears to not be of sound mind' in letter to President

The Delhi Commission for Women chief, in her letter to the President, said that the actress' Padma Shri should be withdrawn.

New Delhi: Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday urging him to withdraw the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, bestowed on actor Kangana Ranaut for her remarks allegedly belittling the country's Independence.

Ranaut on Thursday had kicked off a row by saying India attained "real freedom" in 2014, apparently referring to the Narendra Modi-led government assuming power, and describing the country's Independence in 1947 as "bheek" (alms).

Maliwal, in her letter, said the actor had "made certain outrageous statements disgracing the great freedom fighters of the country".