A controversy has erupted after former Tamil Nadu Congress chief KS Alagiri stated that Bollywood actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut "must be slapped" if she visits Tamil Nadu. Alagiri's remarks were made in response to a query about Ranaut's past comments regarding women activists. He accused her of speaking with arrogance and referenced a previous incident where a CISF constable slapped Ranaut at Chandigarh airport.

Alagiri cited Ranaut's controversial statements during the 2020 farmers' protest as a reason for his remark. During the protests, Ranaut posted a tweet targeting Mohinder Kaur, a 73-year-old farmer activist, mistakenly identifying her as Bilkis Bano of Shaheen Bagh and suggesting that women like her could be hired to attend demonstrations for a nominal fee. This led to accusations of defamation against the actress.

Alagiri also referred to the 2024 incident at Chandigarh airport where CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur slapped and verbally abused Ranaut during a security check. Reports indicated that the constable was angered by Ranaut's stance on the farmers' agitation. The constable was subsequently suspended, and an FIR was registered against her.

Ranaut has visited Tamil Nadu in the past. In 2020, she visited the Rameshwaram Temple and paid her respects at the memorial of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. In 2021, she visited the memorial of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in Chennai ahead of the release of her film "Thalaivii," a biopic based on Jayalalithaa's life.

In response to Alagiri's controversial statement, Kangana Ranaut stated that she can go wherever she wants, and nobody can stop her. She added that even if some people hate her, there are many more who love her.