BJP MP Kangana Ranaut called Cockroach Janata Party spokesperson Saurav Das "useless" after he suggested that no one takes the actress-politician seriously.

The exchange highlights the friction between established political figures and emerging Gen Z voices in India. By attacking the professional standing of a younger opponent, Ranaut is framing the debate around merit and achievement rather than political ideology.

The conflict began when Das said that no one takes Ranaut seriously [3]. Das, who is a 28-year-old student [1], faced a sharp rebuttal from the MP regarding his own credentials and age.

Ranaut said Das was "useless" [1] and unemployed. She contrasted his current status with her own professional trajectory during her early years in the film industry.

"I had two national awards at his age," Ranaut said [2].

The MP's response focused on the disparity between Das's position as a student and her own history of recognized success. The interaction has drawn attention to the use of personal achievements as a tool for political delegitimization.

Das had previously positioned himself as a representative of a younger generation through the Cockroach Janata Party. However, Ranaut's invocation of her awards served to dismiss his critique by questioning his authority to judge her career or public standing [2].

The clash underscores a recurring theme in Ranaut's public discourse, where she frequently leverages her identity as a trailblazing artist to validate her political assertions. The exchange remains a point of contention among supporters of both the BJP and the CJP.

“"Useless."”

This interaction reflects a broader trend in Indian political rhetoric where professional pedigree is used to invalidate the critiques of younger activists. By shifting the focus from the validity of Das's political claim to his employment status and age, Ranaut utilizes a 'meritocracy' argument to silence opposition from Gen Z representatives.