Bollywood actress and ex beauty queen Urvashi Rautela is in a controversy as she wore a tricolour-inspired gown at Miss Universe India 2026 finale in Jaipur. The outfit inspired from Indian colourssaffron, white and green, adorned with a blue circular symbol like the Ashoka chakra has sparked a debate on social media and drawn the ire of users who argue that the dress may be against the Indian laws on display of National Flag.
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Rautela was present as a member of the jury in Miss Universe India 2026 Finale which was held on Sunday, August 3, at the grand stage of Manesar, near Gurgaon. The actor appeared on the stage wearing a floor length, strapless gown in saffron, green, and white panels with intricate sequin work, a long train and a round blue sketch inspired by the Ashok Chakra. According to reports it took designer Belarusian Darya Chermashentseva three months to stitch the dress.
The gown was reportedly inspired from Indian culture. Urvashi later clarified that the entire intent behind wearing the dress was to represent India and where she comes from. Urvashi explained that it is her feeling and emotions toward her country transformed into an outfit. According to the former beauty queen, the dress was not made just from three colors, it turned the feeling of a country into style.
According to the explanation of Section 2 (Disrespect to the Indian National Flag) of The Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971, “Indian National Flag” includes any picture, drawing, photograph or other visual representation of the flag, or of any part or parts thereof, made of any substance or represented on any substance and the term ‘represent’ shall be constructed accordingly.
The law further states, “Whoever in public place burns, mutilates, defaces, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon, or otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt the Indian National Flag shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. Explanation I — The words “acts of disrespectful and bring into contempt” and the words “shows disrespect to” shall mean any act or conduct (not being otherwise illegal) which violates the dignity of the Indian National Flag.”
It also adds further that any act of wearing, using and exhibiting the National Flag as a costume, uniform or accessory, which is worn below the waist, of a person or of a member of any organization, may be considered as disrespect to the National Flag. It states, ” Printing or embroidering the flag on any part of a uniform will amount to disrespectful.”
The question has come for this explanation as, in Urvashi’s dress, the Indian tri-color inspiration started below her waist with a skirt. The lower part of the outfit and the train were close to the floor at the end and wore tricolor design, this could potentially lead to trouble according to the Prevention of Insults to the Indian National Flag Act, 1971.
The prevention of insult to the National Flag Act, 1971, deals with display of the National flag in a manner so as to show any sign of disrespect to it. The use of national flag with respect as a uniform or accessory under the mentioned act should not be beyond reasonable limits. The use of dress colors similar to Indian National Flag has been viewed under certain conditions as displaying the country’s flag in a disrespectful way. While using the colours of the flag should be displayed respectfully and the design should not insult the NationalFlag.
Earlier, similar such cases have surfaced before the law which has been interpreted in various way by different sections of society. In this controversy of designer gown with tricolors, people want an answer from the Ministry of Home Affair, India which frames policies on these matters.
Under Section 2 (1) of the Act, such behavior can attract a jail term of up to three years or a fine, or both. This particular clause is now at the center of the debate surrounding the actress’s choice.
The article also mentions: “If the attire is intended to signify a replica of the national flag and its display on clothes is to be seen as one among the other forms mentioned in Section 2 of the Act like ‘burning’ or ‘defacing’, then such attire could certainly attract legal scrutiny. “In absence of any such direct intention and evidence showing disrespect, it can hardly be penalised,,”.
The actor and her designer did not respond to queries for comment.
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