Lack of Representation from Tribal, Dalit and OBC Women in Miss India

In a recent gathering at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Prayagraj, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi remarked that there is a lack of representation of tribal, dalit and OBC women in Miss India. This was with regards to his proposal for a nationwide caste census.

The Political Message

Rahul Gandhi was trying to reiterate the need for a nationwide caste census through his comment. He also said that the country cannot function well without the participation of 90% of the population. The “90%” he refers to here are people belonging to the tribal, dalit and OBC communities. He also pointed out that the media is not concerned about the 90% since it seems to preoccupy itself with Bollywood dances and music but never raises voice for the farmers and struggling labourers of the country. He further adds that the 90% possess all the necessary skills and talent to compete with the top 10% but they do not have the access to spaces that acknowledge their skill and talent.

This comment was taken as a blow to BJP’s policies. Spokespersons from the BJP took to twitter to defame the statement made by Rahul Gandhi. The ministers pointed out that Miss India is a private event, the government has no role to play in the nomination and success of the candidates. Even then, it was pointed out that Riya Ekka, a tribal girl from Chhattisgarh, became Miss India in 2022.

The Deeper Issue

The question raised by Rahul Gandhi, despite its political motives, points at a deeper societal issue at hand. The issue does not lie in the political party in power, it rather lies in the practices within the film and beauty industry. Bollywood and the larger fashion industry hold up casteist and colourist standards of beauty that are inaccessible to the larger population, especially those coming from the margins. Their standards of beauty are very restricted and often not open to expansion. Bollywood hosts enough celebrities who are the first to raise their voices against discrimination of any sort but they themselves support and contribute to an industry with such regressive roots. This is the deceitful and hypocritical nature of the entertainment industry. 

While there may have been a single tribal contestant winning Miss India in 2022, that does not negate the fact that these communities still remain largely underrepresented within such spheres. Bollywood is largely dominated by upper caste and upper class individuals thereby making it an exclusionary and restricted space. The industry needs to work to make itself more inclusive and open to diversity by employing more bahujan and tribal actors and models rather than making superficial attempts at advocating for representation.