Kangana Ranaut supports Smriti Irani's opposition to paid menstrual leave policy for women

Actor-turned-politician recently expressed her stance that menstruation shouldn't be viewed as a 'handicap' situation

Actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani recently expressed her stance that menstruation shouldn't be viewed as a 'handicap,' advocating against the necessity of a designated policy for 'paid leave' for women during that time. 

As per Hindustan Times, the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi alum was responding to the Union Women and Child Development Minister's statement. Speaking in Rajya Sabha in response to a question, Irani had said, "As a menstruating woman, menstruation and the menstruation cycle is not a handicap, it’s a natural part of women’s life journey."

The former actor added, "We should not propose issues where women are denied equal opportunities just because somebody who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint towards menstruation."

Later, controversial Indian actor Kangana Ranaut voiced her opinion on the aforementioned statement on Instagram Stories the following day. The Tejas star highlighted that throughout history, women have consistently juggled work alongside their unwavering commitment to their families, communities, and the nation, implying that menstrual cycles haven't impeded this dedication.

Sharing a screenshot of a recent Hindustan Times article titled, 'Menstruation, not handicap, no need for ‘paid leave’ policy: Minister Smriti Irani', Ranaut wrote, “Working woman is a myth, there has not been a single non-working woman in the history of mankind."

Irani's comments, on the other hand, come after the announcement that follows a report presented in the Indian Parliament on Monday. The mentioned report indicated that the matter of special menstrual leave is considered a health issue and falls under the purview of the health ministry for examination.

The Simran actor furthered, "From farming to house chores to raising kids, women have always been working and nothing has come in the way of their commitment to their families or community or nation. Unless it is some specific medical condition, women don't need paid leaves for periods, please understand, it is periods, not some illness or handicap.”

On the work front, Ranaut will be soon seen portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the upcoming biopic on the former Indian premier, titled Emergency. The film is based on the Indian Emergency and also features Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Mahima Chaudhry and Milind Soman in pivotal roles.

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