Did Washing Feet of Miss World Contestants Spark Outrage in Telangana?
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Synopsis
The washing of Miss World 2025 contestants' feet before entering a temple in Telangana has ignited significant controversy. Both BRS and BJP have condemned the act, asserting it undermines the dignity of local women. The incident raises questions about cultural respect and self-identity in modern India, making it a pivotal moment in the ongoing political discourse.
Key Takeaways
- Controversial Cultural Practices: The incident highlights sensitive cultural practices in India.
- Political Backlash: Major political parties are reacting strongly against the actions taken.
- Women’s Dignity: The event raises questions about the dignity and respect afforded to women in cultural contexts.
- Historical Significance: The Ramappa Temple's status as a UNESCO site adds weight to the discussion.
- Public Sentiment: The incident has sparked widespread public discontent, indicating a need for political accountability.
Hyderabad, May 15 (NationPress) The act of washing and wiping the feet of Miss World 2025 contestants prior to their entrance into a temple has sparked significant outrage, with both the opposition BRS and BJP condemning it as a blow to the self-respect of Telangana.
Female volunteers washed and dried the feet of contestants from 109 nations before they visited the historic Ramappa Temple in the Mulugu district on Wednesday.
This temple, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, was included in the itinerary of the ongoing beauty pageant.
A video of the event circulated widely on social media, igniting backlash from many who labeled the act as ‘colonial’ and ‘racist’.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, described it as a degrading act that reflects a colonial mentality.
“In a disturbing display of subservience, the Telangana Congress government compelled local women to wash and wipe the feet of the Miss World contestants, a disgraceful act steeped in colonial-era thinking. This occurred within the sacred confines of the Ramappa Temple, close to the revered sites of Goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma,” Reddy, who also serves as the state BJP president, stated.
“The Congress party's long-standing tradition of having Indians bow down to foreigners to placate their high command is evident. In his efforts to impress his Delhi superiors, Revanth Reddy has undermined the dignity and self-respect of Indian women,” he added in a post on 'X'.
He further asserted that the national leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should issue an unconditional apology to the women of Telangana for this blasphemy and for compromising the dignity, culture, and self-respect of our NariShakti.
The principal opposition party, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), criticized the Congress government for damaging the self-respect of Telangana. BRS leaders have called upon Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to step in.
BRS representatives alleged that local Dalit, tribal, and economically vulnerable women were coerced into washing and wiping the feet of international beauty contestants.
In a correspondence to Sonia Gandhi, former ministers and public officials from the BRS urged her to act swiftly to restore the dignity of the state's women and to address the growing public dissatisfaction.
Key BRS figures, including former ministers Sabitha Indra Reddy, Satyavati Rathod, Sunita Laxma Reddy, and MLA Kova Laxmi, demanded an apology from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
The BRS leaders expressed deep distress over what they termed a “disgraceful and humiliating act,” accusing the Congress government of insulting the women of Telangana and tarnishing the state's cultural heritage.
They have called on Sonia Gandhi to ensure that the Chief Minister publicly apologizes to the women of Telangana and takes corrective actions to prevent further degradation of the state's pride.
A warning was issued that if such actions are ignored, they risk alienating Telangana's four crore residents, potentially inciting a strong backlash from the women of the state against the Congress party.
Point of View
NationPress
27/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What sparked the outrage in Telangana?
The washing of feet of Miss World 2025 contestants by local women before their temple visit has triggered outrage, with accusations of disrespecting Telangana's dignity.
Who condemned the act?
Both the BRS and BJP have condemned the act, labeling it as an insult to the self-respect of Telangana's women.
What historical site was involved?
The incident occurred at the Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, during the contestants' visit as part of the beauty pageant.
What were the reactions from political leaders?
Political leaders, including Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, criticized the act as humiliating and reflective of a colonial mindset.
What actions are being called for by BRS leaders?
BRS leaders are demanding an apology from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and calling for immediate measures to restore the dignity of Telangana's women.
