Hyderabad, May 15 – A video showing local women washing the feet of Miss World contestants at the UNESCO-listed Ramappa Temple has ignited a political storm in Telangana. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which labelled the incident as deeply disrespectful to women in the state, has sharply criticized it.
As part of their cultural tour ahead of the Miss World 2024 finale in Hyderabad on May 31, the international beauty pageant participants, dressed in traditional sarees, visited the historic Ramappa Temple on Wednesday. However, controversy erupted when visuals surfaced online showing a few women pouring water on the contestants' feet while one woman was seen wiping them with a towel.
The video quickly went viral, prompting outrage across social media and political circles.
BRS Slams Congress Government
Reacting to the footage, BRS Working President KT Rama Rao criticised the state leadership, stating on social platform X, “Congress CM has officially lost his mind,” while resharing the controversial clip.Echoing similar sentiments, senior BRS leader and former minister Sabitha Indra Reddy condemned the incident, calling it “a grave insult to Telangana's daughters.” She referred to the legacy of prominent women from the region, such as Rudramadevi, Sammakka, and Saralakka, and expressed dismay that such an act was permitted on their soil.
“The Congress government has stripped the honor of the daughters of the state. This incident has not only shamed Telangana but has also tarnished the dignity of Indian women before the world,” she posted on X.
Miss World Activities Continue Amid Backlash
Over 100 contestants from around the globe are currently in Telangana, visiting key historical and cultural sites as part of their pre-finale tour. While the state has promoted the event to showcase Telangana’s rich heritage, the incident has overshadowed the promotional efforts.The Miss World grand finale is set to take place in Hyderabad on May 31.
