In brief
In a bold display of defiance against moral policing, Muskan Sharma won the Miss Rishikesh 2025 pageant after confronting a group that criticized her and other contestants for their choice of attire. Her spirited response not only secured her victory but also resonated with many as a symbol of empowerment for women in India.
Muskan Sharma stood up to men who tried to bully her over her clothes - and went on to win hearts and a beauty pageant. The 23-year-old, who was crowned Miss Rishikesh 2025 last week in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, told the BBC that even though it was a small local pageant, it made me feel like Miss Universe. Sharma's win has made headlines in India as it came after a viral video that showed her spiritedly arguing with a man who barged into their rehearsals just a day before the 4 October contest.Sharma, who wanted to be a model and participate in a pageant since I was in school, said the intruders came in just as they broke for lunch. We were sitting around, chilling, having a laugh when they walked in, she said. The footage showed Raghavendra Bhatnagar, district head of a Hindu group called Rashtriya Hindu Shakti Sangathan, objecting to skirts and western dresses Sharma and other contestants were wearing. Modelling is over, go back home, Bhatnagar is heard telling them. This is against Uttarakhand's culture.Sharma refuses to back down. Why don't you shut the shops which sell them [Western clothes]? she retorts, sparking a heated exchange. As the argument escalated, the hotel manager intervened, escorting Bhatnagar and his group out.Sharma's reaction was spontaneous, born from a desire to protect her dreams. I could see my dreams shattering in front of me. The only question in my mind at the time was will the pageant go on? she recounted. The next day, the event went off as scheduled, leading to her unexpected victory.Her triumph is seen as a double victory, not only for the crown but for standing up for her rights and that of other women. Sharma dedicated her crown to her mother, attributing her courage to her upbringing: Without her, I wouldn't be the person I am today. Her story inspires others to defend their rights and dreams amidst ongoing debates over women's clothing in a patriarchal society. Sharma plans to continue her pursuits in pageantry, aspiring for Miss Uttarakhand and eventually Miss India.
