HYDERABAD: The feet of Miss World contestants were washed and wiped by backwards-class women in Telangana, sparking a huge controversy. The women washed the contestants' feet when they were visiting the historic Ramappa temple in the Mulugu district. Protests erupted after the footage emerged. The contestants can be seen sitting at a certain location near the temple. In the footage, the women can be seen washing and wiping the feet of the contestants on a shiny plate. With this, the BJP and BRS parties have come out with strong criticism against the Congress government in Telangana. They alleged that Dalit and backwards-class women were appointed to wash the feet of the contestants.

There was criticism, including on social media, that the washing of the feet of foreigners was due to a 'colonial hangover'. However, the organisers explained that it was just a welcoming ceremony following the Indian tradition.
The 72nd Miss World competition began in Hyderabad on the 10th of this month. The grand finale is on the 31st. The contestants were visiting the Ramappa Temple, which has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status, and the Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal as part of the cultural visit program prior to the finale.