Actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani recently said that menstruation shouldn’t be a ‘handicap,’ opposing a ‘paid leave’ program for women.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi alum responded to the Union Women and Child Development Minister’s speech, the Hindustan Times said. Irani replied in Rajya Sabha, “As a menstruating woman, menstruation and the menstruation cycle are not a handicap; they’re a natural part of a woman’s life journey.”
The actor said, “We should not propose issues where women are denied equal opportunities just because somebody who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint towards menstruation.”
The next day, controversial Indian actor Kangana Ranaut commented on the statement on Instagram Stories. The Tejas singer said that throughout history, women have balanced employment with their dedication to their families, communities, and the nation, meaning that menstruation cycles haven’t affected this.
Ranaut said, “Working women is a myth; there has not been a single non-working woman in the history of mankind,” sharing a Hindustan Times item headed, “Menstruation, not handicap, no need for ‘paid leave’ policy: Minister Smriti Irani.”
Iran’s statements follow a Monday Indian Parliament report disclosure. According to the report, special menstrual leave is a health issue that the health ministry should investigate.
The Simran actor added, “Women have always worked, from farming to housework to raising children, and nothing has stopped them from serving their families, communities, or nations. Periods are not illnesses or disabilities; hence, women don’t need paid absences for them.
Emergency, a biography of Indira Gandhi, will star Ranaut. In the Indian Emergency-based film, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Mahima Chaudhry, and Milind Soman play key characters.
