Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind urging him to withdraw the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, bestowed on actor Kangana Ranaut for her remarks allegedly belittling the country's Independence.

Ranaut on November 11 had kicked off a row by saying India attained "real freedom" in 2014, apparently referring to the Narendra Modi-led government assuming power, and describing the country's Independence in 1947 as "bheek" (alms). Maliwal, in her letter, said the actor had "made certain outrageous statements disgracing the great freedom fighters of the country".