Women washing Miss World contestants' feet sparks row

A video showing some women helping wash the feet of Miss World contestants at Ramappa temple Thursday sparked controversy with opposition BRS and BJP flaying the act, terming it an insult to Telangana women.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Responding to the criticism, the state government in a post on 'X' said “This is a tradition we follow in accordance with the dictum 'Atithi Devo Bhava' by which we offer our international guests the highest honour”.

The contestants, dressed in sarees, visited the historical Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of their heritage tour in the state Wednesday. After they reached the site, some women were seen in the video pouring water on the feet of the contestants, who were seated in a row, to wash their feet. One woman was seen wiping the feet of a contestant with a towel and the video went viral.