Mumbai: Actor and BJP leader Rupali Ganguly has sparked a social media controversy after her sarcastic remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi being a “dictator” drew widespread criticism online.
Her comments, made while condemning abusive posts targeting the PM, quickly went viral, triggering a wave of backlash and “Monisha beta” memes on X.
The controversy began after a video circulating on social media allegedly showed a minor girl urging people to “slap” Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of abusing him, before striking his photograph with a slipper.
Reacting to the clip, Rupali condemned the act and called for consequences against those insulting the Prime Minister.
Taking to X, she wrote, “Insulting the PM like this must have repercussions!!! I really wish he was a dictator!!!”
This small girl is Mahira Khan
She must be hardly what 10-12. But look at the hate she has for Narendra Modi@AshwiniVaishnaw Its hightime kids should be blocked across Social media.
Time is ticking fast !
The action should be taken on Parents of such kids !! @narendramodi… https://t.co/Px9Ytfxl5H pic.twitter.com/RJ2SRMsuuN
— Comman Man (@CommanMan777589) August 2, 2026
Rupali also re-shared a post drawing a comparison with the recent detention of Udhayanidhi Stalin over his alleged remarks about actors Vijay and Trisha Krishnan.
The post claimed that while the girl accused of insulting the Prime Minister was “forgiven,” Udhayanidhi was arrested for his comments.
It ended with the sarcastic caption, “Saar Narendra Modi is dictator saar,” which Rupali reposted, appearing to endorse the comparison.
Her posts drew sharp reactions from several social media users. “Aap itna neeche kaise stoop kar leti hain? Aap actor hain toh acting karein. Kya dalaali mein phaas gayi? (How can you stoop so low? Stick to acting. Why are you getting involved in this?)” wrote one X user.
Another commented, “Monisha beta, inciting hate against 12-year-old girls is too fascist,” while another wrote, “Monisha, you were stupid all along. Maya Sarabhai knew.”
A user remarked, “Monisha Beta, go back to school and relearn your Civics lessons. Also read up on history to learn about the Nazis, Mussolini, Idi Amin and others. Wishing for a dictatorship is so downmarket.”
Monisha Beta, Go back to school and relearn your Civics lessons. Also read up History to learn about the Nazis, Mussolini, Idi Amin and others!
Wishing for a Dictatorship is SOOOO Down Market and Middle Class! pic.twitter.com/iG83KiXZLh
— Dee (@MalluChique) August 5, 2026
Some users also referenced Benito Mussolini, with one writing, “Do you know what happened to Mussolini? Do you know what the people of Italy did to him?”
Several others pointed to the realities of living under a dictatorship, arguing that Rupali’s remark was insensitive.
Some even compared her political views to those of former actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani, calling her the “next Smriti Irani.”
Rupali has not yet responded to the backlash.