India / Kangana says only 3-4% of Indians pay taxes, Manish Sisodia responds

Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut once again came into the radar of netizens for her statement on the on-going protests over the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) across the country.

During the trailer launch of her upcoming film Panga on Monday, upon being asked, the actress expressed her views on CAA. Breaking her silence on the issue, she said, “It's not correct for the people to instigate violence in the name of democracy. We are still hung on to the pre-Independence era. During that time, going on strike against the people, who had captured us, not paying taxes, all of this was really cool. But today, because of democracy, your leaders have come from within you, not from Italy or Japan.”

Further slamming the protesters for vandalising public property, she said, "In our population, only three to four per cent people pay taxes. Others are actually dependent on them. So, who gives you the right to burn buses, trains, create ruckus in the country. One bus costs a lot. It's not a small amount. And the condition of this country is such that there are so many who are dying of malnutrition.”

However, her comment on only "three to four per cent people paying taxes" did not go down well with several people including Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. He countered her statement on social media and wrote that the country is not dependent on the taxes paid by only three to four per cent people. He also said that from a daily wage earner to a billionaire, every person pays taxes.

“Even daily labourers pay indirect taxes when they buy something cheap like salt or a matchbox. They even pay taxes when they go to watch a film and are responsible for income of actors. Now think who is dependent on whom?” the Deputy CM tweeted in Hindi.

Slamming Kangana for her comment, a Twitter user wrote, “Does she know that there are direct and indirect taxes? Does she know that indirect taxes are paid by every person, even the poorest of the poor.”

Another user wrote, “Presumably Kangana thinks these "3-4%" taxpayers have the right to burn buses.”

“Prepare for GMAT or CAT , will improve your logical reasoning or logical deduction 😊 there you would learn 1) A pays taxes 2) B doesnt pay taxes 3) One who doesn't pay taxes can not burn buses -- Doesn't logically conclude - A can burn buses!,” wrote another user.

On the work front, Kangana will next be seen in sports-drama Panga where she is essaying the role of a Kabaddi player. Helmed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, the film is scheduled to hit the screens on January 24, 2020.