After actress Kriti Sanon drew flak over her outfit in a Raksha Bandhan commercial, Rahul Gandhi has come to her defence, saying it's her choice.
Sharing Sanon's Instagram Story, the Leader of Opposition posted on his account: What a woman wears, what she does and where she goes - is her choice. Stop trolling women for exercising their freedom." His post was accompanied with the hashtag, "Smash the Patriarchy".
The video commercial shows Sanon donning an ivory bralette-style blouse and draped skirt with a cape as she ties a rakhi to her on-screen brother and pet dog.
The ad sparked sharp reactions online, with users calling it inappropriate, and the issue soon blew up after BJP MP Kangana Ranaut said the ad "looks intentionally creepy".
"It's a wonderful time to be a woman. Our closets are full of variety of clothes, today's woman is a global woman. From cocktail dresses to lehenga cholis, jeans to saris, bikinis to salwar kameez, from all the options that are available to us today why would you tie your brother a rakhi in your bikini/undergarments? Where are all your styling options?" she posted.
Amid the criticism, Sanon took to Instagram, asking, "When will we stop telling women what to wear?"
"Culture & Traditions are in her heart, not in her neckline!" she wrote, "The essence of festivals is not in the clothes you wear, it is in the emotions and meaning you hold for the traditions. Rakshabandhan is a bond of protection. My sister and I tie rakhi to each other. We know we can protect each other no less than a brother would have. We pray for each other's health, happiness & long life."
Responding to criticism over tying a rakhi to her on-screen pet dog, Sanon wrote, "And for us, this prayer and promise extends to our dogs too! Afterall, they are family! Also, when will we stop telling women what to wear?? Ethnic fashion has evolved over the years, but still a woman's respect for her culture is measured with just her clothes!! Culture & Traditions are in her heart, not in her neckline!"
