"Kangana Ranaut's Padma Shri award must be withdrawn"

Mumbai : Actress Kangana Ranaut's Padma Shri award should be withdrawn and she must be charged with sedition, said several political parties after her '2014 azadi' remark.

In her remarks, Kangana Ranaut said that India got true Independence in 2014 under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and the 1947 Independence was "bheekh" or charity.

"The Padma Award given to Ms. Ranaut should be withdrawn immediately. Before giving such awards, mental psychological evaluation should be done so that in future such persons do not disrespect the nation and its heroes," Anand Sharma, Congress leader, said on Twitter, tagging President Ram Nath Kovind.

Calling her remarks as shameful and shocking, Mr Sharma accused her of insulting the sacrifices done by Mahatma Gandhi, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekar Azad.

Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik controversially suggested the actor had made the comments under the influence of drugs.

"Looks like Kangana Ranaut took a heavy dose of Malana Cream (a variety of hashish) before making such a statement," the minister remarked.

"We strongly condemn actress Kangana Ranaut's statement. She insulted freedom fighters. The Centre must take back the Padma Shri from Kangana Ranaut and arrest her," said the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader.

Kangana Ranaut made the remark during an event organized by Times Now.