Video Of Telangana Women Washing Miss World Contestants' Feet Sparks Outrage: ‘Disgusting, Racist'
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Outrage grew over a video that depicts local Indian women assisting Miss World contestants in washing their feet prior to temple visits.
Washing and wiping the feet of Miss World 2025 contestants by women from Telangana before their entry into a temple triggered outrage. The feet of contestants from 109 countries were washed and wiped by women volunteers before their entry into the ancient Ramappa temple in the Mulugu district. The visit of contestants to UNESCO World Heritage site was part of the ongoing beauty pageant.
Miss World Contest In Telangana
Telangana is currently playing host to the prestigious Miss World beauty pageant, with contestants from over 100 nations immersing themselves in Indian culture and preparing for the grand finale scheduled for May 31 in Hyderabad. The two-week schedule, which commenced with a dazzling opening ceremony on May 10th, includes sightseeing and practice sessions across the state.
Feet Washing Controversy
Outrage grew over a video that depicts local Indian women assisting Miss World contestants in washing their feet prior to temple visits. The contestants recently visited two significant temples in Telangana: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ramappa Temple in the Mulugu district and the renowned Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal. The visits were organized by the Telangana Tourism Department as part of the pre-finale activities.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy said, 'In a shocking display of servility, the Telangana Congress government made local women wash and wipe the feet of Miss World contestants, a humiliating act that reeks of a colonial-era mindset. Further, this was done within the sanctity of the Ramappa Temple and in an area in close proximity to the place where the divine Goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma are revered."
Main opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) slammed the Congress government saying it shattered Telangana's self-respect. In a letter to Sonia Gandhi, former ministers and public representatives from the BRS urged her to intervene immediately.
Several social media users argued that the visual evokes imagery of colonialism and reinforces unequal power dynamics.
First Published:
May 16, 2025, 07:09 IST
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