New Delhi ∙ The controversy regarding the song scene in the film ‘Pathan’ starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone has reached a new level. While BJP leaders are criticizing Deepika Padukone for wearing a saffron bikini in the singing arena, Trinamool Congress leader Riju Dutta is retaliating by sharing a video of BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani wearing a saffron dress and participating in the ‘Miss India’ pageant years ago.
With the BJP leaders coming out against this, the ‘fight’ intensified on social media. Controversy arose over the saffron outfit when the song titled ‘Beshram Rang’ from the film ‘Pathan’ was released. The reason for the controversy is the color of the bikini that Deepika is wearing in this song scene. The BJP leaders alleged that the saffron colored bikini was a deliberate attempt to insult Hinduism.
Riju Dutta shared a video of Smriti Irani participating in the ‘Miss India’ pageant in 1998 wearing a saffron dress in response to a tweet by Amit Malviya, head of BJP’s IT cell, who joined the controversy. Meanwhile, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee opined that this tweet is an example of the Trinamool leader’s lack of respect for women. Chatterjee clarified his position through Twitter.
“Isn’t Mamata Banerjee ashamed to appoint such a misogynistic person as the Trinamool Congress national spokesperson? He has no respect for women or their decisions. He opposes women’s success and their upliftment. Locket Chatterjee tweeted that the reason for the increase in violence against women is men like him.
Riju Dutta retorted that he was accused of being anti-feminist by those who had a history of supporting those who brutally gang-raped Bilkis Banu during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
“First of all, stop this pretense of making saffron your party’s patrimony. Secondly, you have a big problem when women like Deepika wear saffron. Meanwhile, Smriti Irani has no problem wearing it. I suspect you are partially blind. Hypocrites! I am a member of a woman led party which is a shining example of women empowerment. You, on the other hand, are party members of those who call the accused in the rape case ‘Sanskari Brahmins”’ – said Riju Dutta.
English Summary: Smriti Irani’s ‘Miss India’ Video Spawns Trinamool-BJP Twitter Clash