Television actor and BJP leader Rupali Ganguly has come under fire after making a controversial remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ongoing debate surrounding the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests. While condemning abusive language directed at the Prime Minister, Rupali remarked that she “really wished he was a dictator”, triggering widespread criticism and a flood of memes on social media.
In a video shared on Instagram, Rupali criticised those using abusive language against the Prime Minister during protest-related reels and online videos. She argued that political disagreements should remain civil and expressed disappointment over the tone of public discourse. During the interaction, she remarked, “I really wish he was a dictator,” adding that if that were truly the case, many of those criticising him so openly would not have enjoyed the freedom to do so.
The statement immediately sparked a backlash online. Many users accused the Anupamaa actor of trivialising dictatorship and misunderstanding what authoritarian rule entails. Several social media users pointed out that a dictatorship, by definition, suppresses dissent and democratic freedoms, arguing that such a system should never be romanticised, regardless of political affiliation.
The controversy also gave rise to a wave of memes referencing Rupali’s iconic character Monisha from the cult sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. Borrowing Maya Sarabhai’s famous catchphrase, users joked, “Monisha beta, dictatorship is so middle class,” while others adapted similar dialogues from the show to mock the actor’s comment. The memes quickly spread across X, Instagram and Facebook, becoming one of the day’s top entertainment trends.
Insulting the PM like this must have repercussions!!! I really wish he was a dictator!!! — Rupali Ganguly (@TheRupali) August 4, 2026
Supporters of Rupali, however, defended her statement, arguing that it had been taken out of context. According to them, the actor was speaking sarcastically and attempting to counter repeated allegations from government critics who describe Prime Minister Modi as a dictator. They maintained that her broader message was about respecting democratic institutions and rejecting abusive political rhetoric rather than advocating authoritarian rule.
The latest controversy comes amid Rupali’s continued political activism since joining the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2024. The actor has frequently voiced support for Prime Minister Modi and has previously criticised YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and other government critics over their remarks against the Prime Minister. Her latest comments have further reinforced her public image as one of the entertainment industry’s most outspoken political voices.
The remarks also follow a series of celebrity interventions in the debate surrounding the CJP protests. Actors including Bhumi Pednekar, Sonu Sood, Kangana Ranaut and Anupam Kher have recently commented on various aspects of the protests, generating both support and criticism online. Rupali’s statement has now added another chapter to the increasingly polarised conversation, where celebrity opinions on politics continue to attract intense public scrutiny.