Kangana Ranaut Trolled Mercilessly on Social Media for Claiming Mahatma Gandhi ‘Created’ Raghupati Raghav as National Anthem
Factual Blunder Sparks Outrage; Netizens Call It “Clueless Ignorance,” Congress Leaders Mock BJP’s “Gems”
New Delhi, December 17, 2025: BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut has become the target of widespread trolling on social media after a video clip went viral in which she claimed that Mahatma Gandhi “made” or “created” the bhajan Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram and turned it into the national anthem.
The comment came while defending the government’s controversial decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), abbreviated as VB-G RAM G. Opposition parties have slammed the move as an insult to Gandhi.
In the clip, Ranaut told reporters outside Parliament: “How is naming it ‘Ram Ji’ an insult to Gandhi ji? Mahatma Gandhi made ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ the national anthem to organize the entire country.”
Fact Check: Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram is a traditional Hindu devotional bhajan (Ram Dhun), with origins attributed to 19th-century poet Lakshmanacharya. Mahatma Gandhi popularised a modified version during the freedom struggle, adding lines like “Ishwar Allah Tero Naam” for interfaith harmony, and it was frequently sung at his prayer meetings. However, India’s official national anthem is Jana Gana Mana, composed by Rabindranath Tagore and adopted in 1950.
The gaffe quickly snowballed on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of users mocking Ranaut’s historical inaccuracy. Congress supporters and neutral netizens alike dubbed it another example of “WhatsApp University” knowledge.
Popular reactions included:
- “Today we learned a new national anthem! The BJP is full of such gems.”
- “Kangana ji forgot that Bapu made this the national anthem after independence in 2014” (a dig at her past controversial remarks).
- “00% knowledge, 100% propaganda.”
- “India deserves better! Our Parliament deserves better.”
One viral post quipped: “Finally, tough competition to Rekha Gupta” – referring to another BJP leader’s past factual errors.
Congress leaders amplified the video, with spokesperson Supriya Shrinate sarcastically sharing it, while others accused the BJP of being “anti-Bengal” for seemingly disregarding Tagore’s contribution.
As of now, Ranaut has not responded to the trolling. This is not the first time her statements have sparked backlash; she has previously courted controversy on topics ranging from farmers’ protests to historical events.
The incident highlights the intense scrutiny public figures face on social media, where factual slips can turn into viral memes overnight.
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