Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, 26 August entered the controversy over Bollywood actor Kriti Sanon's outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement, publicly backing her right to dress as she chooses — triggering a sharp political exchange between ruling alliance leaders and the Congress.

Gandhi's Intervention

Gandhi shared Sanon's response to the online backlash on his Instagram Story, writing: 'What a woman wears, what she does and where she goes – is her choice.' He urged people to 'Stop trolling women for exercising their freedom' and added the hashtag 'smash the patriarchy.' The post drew immediate reactions from across the political spectrum.

BJP and Shiv Sena Push Back

Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC was among the sharpest critics of Gandhi's move. 'It has become Rahul Gandhi's habit to interfere in everything and everywhere. Regarding students too, he projects himself as if he is a messiah. When an issue concerning women comes up, about women's respect or women's attire, he jumps into that as well,' she said. She added that while such choices may be acceptable in some contexts, 'in our Indian culture and civilisation, this will never be accepted.'

Haryana Minister Anil Vij struck a more measured but pointed tone, saying individual freedom must coexist with respect for religious traditions. 'Rakhi is a sacred festival. It is a festival of love between brothers and sisters. What should be worn at that time, all the sisters of our country know,' he said.

Janata Dal (United) National General Secretary Shyam Rajak offered a more balanced view, cautioning against judging individuals solely by their clothing. 'You cannot cast aspersions on an individual simply because of the kind of clothes they choose to wear,' he said.

Congress Defends Sanon, Targets Kangana Ranaut

Congress leaders rallied behind both Sanon and Gandhi's position, directing criticism specifically at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut, who had earlier commented on the controversy. Congress leader Udit Raj said Ranaut 'should look back at her own old pictures' and called on her to apologise. Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput called Ranaut's remarks 'foolish and frivolous' and said Sanon had done nothing wrong. Congress MP Pawan Khera said Gandhi's politics had 'always focused on ensuring justice and preventing discrimination.'

The Advertisement and Its Fallout

The row erupted after Sanon faced online criticism for wearing an Indo-Western outfit — featuring a bralette and skirt — in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement for jewellery brand GIVA. The video showed the actor tying a Rakhi to her brother and her pet dog, which itself sparked a separate debate on social media. Notably, GIVA pulled the advertisement from circulation on Wednesday, a day after Sanon publicly responded to her critics. The brand has not issued a detailed public statement on the withdrawal.

What This Signals

The episode reflects a recurring pattern in Indian public discourse — where advertising choices, particularly those involving women's clothing during religious occasions, quickly escalate into political battlegrounds. This is not the first time a Bollywood figure's appearance in a festive advertisement has drawn coordinated criticism; similar controversies have emerged around Diwali and Navratri campaigns in recent years. With assembly elections on the horizon in several states, the political temperature around cultural and gender debates is unlikely to cool.