Tripura CM's 'Miss India' comment flooded with criticism

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb's comment that international beauty contests are a farce and questioning the crowning of Diana Hayden as "Miss World" in 1997 drew criticism today from various quarters, including beauty pageant contestants, social workers and his political opponents.

Close on the heels of his "Internet and satellite during the times of Mahabharata" comment, the BJP leader veered into another controversy yesterday, questioning the rationale behind crowning Diana Hayden "Miss World" 21 years ago.

Deb, however, was all praise for Aishwarya Rai, who won the Miss World crown in 1994, saying she "represents Indian women" in the true sense.

Panchali Bhattacharjee, social worker and wife of former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar, said Deb's comments were "unexpected".

"Beauty pageant winners work very hard. It is not right to demean them in any way. Besides, we do not see women in any stereotypical manner. They should have the freedom to express themselves as Laxmi, Saraswati or otherwise," she added.

Femina Miss India contestant from Tripura Mamita Debbarma said, "It is a shame that our chief minister is making such comments."
Asserting that beauty pageant contestants had to work very hard to win a crown, she said, "The governments of other states felicitate and promote those who win these accolades. This comment is very unfortunate."
"In our country, a three-year girl is raped, but there is hardly any voice against it. I ask, why would people like Asaram and Ram Rahim not be hanged? Nobody is vocal about this. I want a comment from our chief minister."
State Congress vice-president Tapas Dey said, "His (Deb's) comments are divisive. He tried to differentiate between Aishwarya Rai and Diana Hayden with a clear motive, but both of them were judged by those who, according to Deb, are international mafia."