Smriti Irani Rejects Period Leave Policy; Kangana Ranaut Debunks ‘Working Woman’ Myth in Response

Union Women and Child Development Minister, Smriti Irani, stated on Wednesday that menstruation should not be considered a ‘handicap,’ dismissing the need for a specific ‘paid leave’ policy for women. Reacting to Irani’s remarks, actor Kangana Ranaut took to Instagram Stories on Thursday, asserting that the concept of a ‘working woman’ is a myth.

Kangana emphasized her viewpoint. She expressed, “Working women are a myth, there has not been a single non-working woman in the history of mankind. 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 leave for periods, please understand, it is periods, not some illness or handicap.”

In response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Smriti Irani stated, “As a menstruating woman, menstruation and the menstruation cycle are not a handicap; it’s a natural part of women’s life journey…We should not propose issues where women are denied equal opportunities just because somebody who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint towards menstruation.”

This isn’t the first occasion Kangana Ranaut has utilized social media to express her opinions on current affairs. Whether discussing box office numbers or responding to natural disasters like the floods in Himachal Pradesh, the actor frequently shares her perspectives on Instagram or Twitter. Her tweet emphasized the significance of the name ‘Bharat,’ stating, “And some call it black magic…. It’s simply grey matter honey… Congratulations to everyone!! Freed from a slave name… Jai Bharat.”