Indian actress Urvashi Rautela has come under fire after wearing a bodycon dress featuring motifs of Mother Mary during her visit to Paris for the Olympics. The outfit sparked outrage among the Christian community, with many accusing the actress of disrespecting their religious sentiments.
The controversy gained traction when the Watchdog Foundation, a prominent Christian organization, wrote to the state government, demanding action against Rautela. The foundation condemned the actress for what they described as a blatant disregard for Christian religious symbols, urging authorities to hold her accountable.
In response to the backlash, Urvashi Rautela, through her spokesperson, issued an apology to the Catholic community. “We ask for forgiveness; we are really sorry,” read the statement, acknowledging the unintentional offense caused by the dress. The spokesperson explained that the dress was designed in Paris and was gifted to the actress, who was unaware that the motifs depicted Mother Mary. “It was a mistake. We came to know that later. What could we do?” the statement added.
Rautela had posted photos and videos of herself wearing the controversial dress on social media, celebrating her status as the “first Indian actress to be officially invited to the Paris Olympics 2024.” However, these posts only intensified the criticism, with many Catholics in Mumbai expressing their anguish and outrage.
The Watchdog Foundation’s letter emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “This act, in the guise of fashion, is a blatant disregard for the religious sentiments of Christians and is highly offensive. Such actions cannot be condoned under the pretext of art or fashion.” The foundation further demanded Rautela’s arrest under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for hurting religious sentiments.
The actress’s spokesperson expressed remorse and clarified that people in India are typically sensitive to religious norms, a perspective that may differ in other countries. Despite the apology, the incident has raised concerns about the increasing insensitivity toward religious symbols in popular culture.
