New Delhi: Twenty-three-year-old Muskan Sharma had waited years to walk the ramp, and the Miss Rishikesh pageant was her first step toward that dream. She was all set for the final rehearsal day, but it unexpectedly turned into a battleground when a Hindu sangathan leader walked into the hall and accused the contestants of “polluting the culture of Uttarakhand”.
Raghavendra Bhatnagar, president of the Rashtriya Hindu Shakti Sangathan, objected to the ramp walk event organised on Friday. In a video that went viral, he was seen arguing with contestants over their attire of ‘Western clothes’. “The modelling is over, go home now,” Bhatnagar is heard telling a dozen young women present at the rehearsal.
But Sharma did not get scared. She stood up to him. “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,” Sharma retorted.
Despite the protest, the pageant continued as planned. Coincidentally, Sharma went on to win the title of Miss Rishikesh—a crown awarded at the event for the past five years.
“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,” said Sharma, a Rishikesh resident who now aims to contest Miss Uttarakhand and Miss India.
The pageant was organised by the Lions Club of Rishikesh as part of its annual Diwali mela, which also included singing and dancing competitions. More than 5,000 people attended the final event, where all contestants wore ethnic and Indian outfits. The controversy arose only during rehearsals, when the girls wore Western clothes.
“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,” said Dhiraj Makhija, one of the organisers.
For Muskan, winning the pageant was more than just a crown. “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,” she said. “It was pre-decided that we’d wear Indian outfits for the final. The practice session was different, but no one can come and dictate to us what to do.”
Bhatnagar, meanwhile, told reporters that ramp walks in Western clothing go against Rishikesh’s identity and Sanatan values. “Sanatan Dharma teaches women to wear modest clothing. Such events hurt social and religious sentiments,” he added.
Opportunities are rare for women in towns like Rishikesh to enter national pageants. Local competitions such as Miss Rishikesh serve as the first window, providing exposure, training, and confidence to move on to bigger platforms like Miss Uttarakhand or even Miss India. Muskan Sharma won the crown, but for many participants, it is not just about the title—it is about breaking barriers and being seen in spaces traditionally dominated by metropolitan culture.
“I never got discouraged. I have always believed in standing up for myself. This crown is proof that courage and perseverance matter more than anyone else’s opinion,” said Muskan.
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Culture and new dreams
Rishikesh is the land of Maa Ganga and carries a deep weight of spirituality. Known as the “yoga capital of the world,” it draws seekers and pilgrims from across the globe. In the same city where aartis light up the ghats every evening, young girls like Muskan dream of walking ramps and making a mark in the world of fashion.
“Girls fight such battles since childhood; we don’t get anything easily. We have to fight for it. That day, I was not raising my voice just for myself, but I raised my voice for every girl present at the practice,” said Sharma.
Makhija said the organisers had decided from the beginning that the participants would wear Indian clothes, as they have been aware of Rishikesh’s culture and never wanted to hurt people’s sentiments. “Even the local people like it,” he added.
Twenty-three-year-old Rahul has been attending the pageant for the last two years and brings his entire family to the event.
“It’s part of the Diwali Mela, and there are so many things to see there. The pageant is a very interesting event that my family loves, especially my wife. We don’t think such things hurt our culture. When women come back after winning Miss India or Miss World, we say they make India proud—even if they wear short clothes. So why should it be a problem in small towns?” added Rahul.
In the last few years, Uttarakhand has been witnessing increasing activity from Hindu sangathans—from targeting Muslims to inter-faith couples, and now women. Their stance is becoming more and more rigid.
Winning Miss Rishikesh has given Muskan more than recognition; it has strengthened her resolve. She plans to compete in Miss Uttarakhand next, and ultimately Miss India, hoping to represent her state while advocating for women’s freedom and self-expression in small-town India.
“On the banks of the Ganga, people wear plenty of Western clothes, and it doesn’t matter. Uttarakhand has no history of objecting to short clothes. But in the past few years, since this government came to power, these Hindu sangathans have become more active. Many of them are known only for creating such controversies,” said Jay Singh Rawat, author and expert on history and culture.
Uttarakhand has always been women-driven. Men from here traditionally migrated outside for work, while women shouldered all responsibilities at home.
“Women played the biggest role in the Uttarakhand statehood movement. They cannot be dictated to now. There are even constituencies in the state where women voters outnumber men,” Rawat added.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)