Kangana Ranaut calls Gen Z 'generation gutter'; CJP's Saurav Das hits back — 'even her party doesn't take her seriously'

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut and Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das traded barbs on social media Tuesday, turning a protest over the NEET paper-leak row into a full-blown political spat about generational politics and parliamentary credibility.

The flashpoint came on July 28 when Ranaut, the Lok Sabha member from Mandi, posted a series of Instagram stories criticising the CJP-led demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. She described the protesters' language as "puke-inducing" and "crass", and labelled the Gen Z participants the "generation gutter".

"Protestors who are beaten and abused on the roads by common people because of their filthy and abusive reels, they must understand, jab bolte ho toh sunna bhi padega," Ranaut wrote. "Agar tum public property damage karte ho toh woh public bhi tumko damage karegi."

Responding to her remarks, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das dismissed the BJP MP's criticism, asserting that she lacked political gravity within her own organisation.

"Kangana Ranaut is not taken seriously by her own party. So why should we take her seriously? I don't think anyone in Gen Z, or in Gen Alpha, or any younger generation takes her seriously," Das said. Referring to an earlier video where Ranaut spoke about adjusting to life as a first-time parliamentarian, he added: "She is a politician... She said, 'I thought I would have to work a little. Here you have to work a lot as an MP.' So this shows her seriousness."

Das concluded by defending young demonstrators: "Many times more than you, Gen Z has done for this country. Gen Z has done the work of reawakening trust in this country's democracy. You haven't done it."

Ranaut subsequently shared Das' ANI interview on her Instagram Stories, questioning his claim of being a student and contrasting his background with her career.

"Googled this student and he is 28, how he claims himself to be student I have no clue!" Ranaut posted, noting that by Saurav's age she had already won two National Film Awards. "Yes, I am in politics for past 2 years but I have been in public life for last 20 years. At his age, I had 2 National Awards... Someone like him who is totally useless and unemployed will never understand what it means to be in massive demand at all times at any age."

The exchange comes as the CJP sit-in at Jantar Mantar continues following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on 24 July. The group is demanding a parliamentary debate on exam reforms and an independent investigation into police action during the 20 July protest.

What we can verify

• BJP MP Kangana Ranaut posted Instagram stories on 28 July 2026 criticising CJP protesters and using the term "generation gutter" / "gutter generation". (Indian Express)
• CJP spokesperson Saurav Das responded in an interview, stating that Ranaut is not taken seriously by her own party and defending Gen Z's contribution to democracy. (Indian Express, News Pinch)
• Ranaut posted follow-up Instagram stories targeting Das, calling him "useless and unemployed" and pointing out she held two National Awards by his age. (Indian Express)
• The exchange occurred against the backdrop of ongoing CJP demonstrations at Jantar Mantar over NEET paper leaks. (Indian Express)

What remains unverified

• Whether any official party warning or internal communication was issued to Ranaut by BJP leadership regarding her social media posts. [unverified]
• Total impression counts across Instagram Stories for both figures. [unverified]