 "Model Muskan Sharma told she's 'Polluting the culture of Uttarakhand,' netizens react to her altercation with Hindu sangathan leader during Miss Rishikesh pageant")
Model Muskan Sharma, who is 23 years old, just like many other girls and women in this country, had dreams and aspirations to be a model. She had the gleam of walking on the ramp and making all those wishes come alive. Miss Rishikesh pageant could have been her first step, but not without its share of hurdles. A video that has surfaced on the internet has sparked a debate, but it also exposes hw tough it is to fulfil the dreams.
A Hindu sangathan leader walked into the hall ahead of the pageant and accused the contestants of “polluting the culture of Uttarakhand.” He questioned the contestants for opting for western attire and was quoted saying, “The modelling is over, go home now.”
What Muskan Sharma replied
The model clapped back saying, “If you are so concerned about the culture, try banning cigarettes and alcohol, and ask shopkeepers to stop selling these clothes. Who are you to tell me what to wear? Uttarakhand has an airport where women wear skirts, go and stop them.”
In another statement, Sharma said, “I did what I’ve seen Miss India and Miss Universe winners do—take a stand for yourself and others. That day I stood up against that man because he was only there to play politics and get popular.”
She also said, “For a small-town girl like me, these pageants are the only way to reach mainstream platforms. Now, after winning this, I will directly contest Miss Uttarakhand.”
Dhiraj Makhija, one of the organisers, reacts
“In all our previous programmes, the girls wore Indian outfits. We were clear from day one that nothing should cause concerns. But during practice, the participants could wear whatever they wanted — we can’t dictate to them.”
Netizens react
One wrote- “Go and protect the girls who are being trafficked. Save the girls who are being sold . No, you wont dare to do that."
A second said, “Bro wears a shirt and talks about women wearing western clothes."
A third commented- “These people will definitely take the country backwards.."