A video from Telangana has ignited a storm of criticism online, allegedly showing local women washing the feet of Miss World contestants. Shared widely on social media, the footage prompted backlash from netizens and political leaders alike, accusing the event organizers of promoting “colonial hangover” and “white worship” under the guise of tradition.

Journalist Sumit Jha expressed strong disapproval on X, writing, “India may be free, but colonial hangover still is there. In Telangana, women washing Miss World contestants’ feet wasn’t tradition—it was a masterclass in colonial hangover and white worship. All in the name of culture.” His post resonated with many, fueling the debate across platforms.

Fact Check: What Really Happened?

Contrary to the claims, the video did not show women physically touching or washing the contestants’ feet. The actual footage reveals that the women poured water into brass plates while the contestants placed their feet in them. Towels were placed behind each chair, and most contestants wiped their own feet afterward.

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What nonsense is going on https://t.co/1dotdqMFUm

— Tamirabharani தாமிரபரணி (@iluvindia2014) May 15, 2025

However, a single frame from the video in which a contestant wearing a purple saree appears to hand a towel back to a local woman seemed to spark renewed anger, with many interpreting it as a demeaning gesture.

One user commented, “I think they only instructed to wash feet before entering the temple,” while another clarified, “I can see it very clearly,they are just pouring water, not touching their feet.”

Still, the optics didn’t sit well with many. Jha insisted, “First of all this ‘act’ of making them sit and wash their feet in brass plates should not have been there,” summarizing the general sentiment online.

Political Leaders Join the Chorus of Criticism

The controversy quickly took a political turn as leaders of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) voiced strong opposition.

Former minister and senior BRS MLA P Sabitha Indra Reddy called the act “wicked, shameful and extremely despicable,” adding, “This government should apologize to the entire world of women.” (translated from Telugu)

BRS working president KT Rama Rao also reacted sharply, saying, “Congress CM has officially lost his mind.”

Echoing similar outrage, BRS leader Y Sathish Reddy tweeted, “The Telangana government made Indian women wash the feet of Miss World contestants and then wipe them with towels. Is this women empowerment or royal servitude?”