Urvashi Rautela Defends Tricolour-Inspired Gown Amid Controversy at Miss Universe India Pageant
JAIPUR – Bollywood actor and model Urvashi Rautela has found herself at the center of a heated public debate following her appearance at the Miss Universe India pageant in Jaipur this past Sunday. Serving as a judge for the event, Rautela opted for a couture gown that drew direct inspiration from the Indian tricolour, sparking both admiration and significant criticism regarding the respectful use of national symbols.
The gown, crafted by Belarusian designer Darya Chermashentseva of DASHA Fashion Couture, featured the iconic saffron, white, and green color palette, accented with a centerpiece motif reminiscent of the Ashok Chakra. According to reports, the intricate garment took three months of meticulous craftsmanship to complete.
A Tribute or a Violation?
For Rautela, the ensemble was a heartfelt expression of her patriotism. “I carry my country with me not merely as a nationality, but as a part of my identity,” she explained. “I wanted to wear something that didn’t merely tell people where I came from, but communicated what India means to me. It was about transforming a national sentiment into an artistic expression.”
However, the choice of attire drew immediate backlash on social media. Critics were quick to point out that by incorporating the tricolour—and specifically the Ashok Chakra—into a garment that trailed on the floor and featured elements positioned below the waist, the actor may have inadvertently violated the Flag Code of India.
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, explicitly prohibits the use of the national flag as part of a costume or uniform worn below the waist, and mandates that the flag must never touch the ground.
Rautela Responds to Criticism
In response to the mounting outcry, Rautela defended the design, insisting that the gown was not a literal reproduction of the National Flag.
“The gown is a theatrical, high-fashion homage that borrows the three colours and a Chakra-like central motif,” she stated. She noted that the design intentionally altered the proportions, orientation, and shades of the colors—opting for variations in the green and orange hues—and transformed the emblem into a piece of jewelry.
“The differences in color shades, orientation, proportions, materials, and especially the central emblem are substantial and intentional for theatrical stage impact,” Rautela added. “It is a couture interpretation using tricolour-inspired elements, designed to read as glamorous fashion under stage lights rather than as a national flag.”
The Legal Framework
The controversy highlights the complexities surrounding the usage of national symbols in fashion. Under Indian law, the “Indian National Flag” includes any visible representation of the flag or any part of it. Disrespecting or insulting the flag in public can lead to severe consequences, including fines or imprisonment for up to three years.
As the discourse continues, the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between artistic expression and the stringent protocols governing the display of national identity in India.
