Ruchi Gujjar urges PM Modi to end the Ghunghat Pratha at Cannes: Women deserve equal freedom
Mumbai, May 20
Bollywood actress Ruchi Gujjar made a bold statement during the 79th Cannes Film Festival, using the global platform to raise her voice against the age-old Ghunghat Pratha still prevalent in several parts of rural India.
She even urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take strong action towards ending the age-old practice as a major step towards promoting women's freedom and equality.
Coming from Rajasthan, Ruchi chose to use her Cannes appearance not just as a fashion moment, but to raise a social issue.
She opted to appear on the red carpet in a traditional Rajasthani-inspired outfit with a dramatic ghunghat veil.
Her attire featured intricate embroidery, accompanied by heavy jewellery, and cultural Rajasthani elements, merging heritage with activism.
Not just that, she even carried the BJP's symbolic lotus flower (Kamal) during her appearance. According to Ruchi, the lotus symbol is a representative of her belief that strong leadership and social awareness are needed to bring a change in society.
Showing her faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, she stated that she believes meaningful reforms can help women living under restrictive traditions gain confidence and freedom.
Speaking during the festival, Ruchi said, "Ghunghat should never become a woman's identity. Women deserve equal freedom, respect, and opportunities in society. I believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji has always taken bold decisions for the country, and I hope steps will also be taken to create awareness against forced Ghunghat Pratha."
Her bold appearance instantly garnered a lot of attention on social media, with users praising her confidence and fearless stand.
Many netizens termed her Cannes appearance as bold and socially impactful, with a strong message for women's empowerment.
She has effectively used cinema and fashion as a powerful medium for spreading awareness and bringing out a positive change in society.
Ruchi is often seen speaking about women's issues connected to rural traditions.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the intent, I wish she'd spoken about this without the political symbolism. The lotus is fine, but mixing a social issue with a party symbol can make it seem partisan. Still, any conversation about women's freedom is welcome. Let's not let the message get lost in the politics.
This is brilliant! She used fashion as a statement, not just a fashion show. The ghunghat is still a big issue in many villages—women can't even eat properly or work freely. People forget traditions change with time. We need more Bollywood celebs to use their fame for real issues like this.
Respectfully, I disagree. Some traditions are personal choices. My grandmother in UP wears ghunghat by choice—she feels it's respectful. Unless we talk to rural women directly, imposing urban ideas from a foreign red carpet feels disconnected. Let's focus on education and economic freedom first, not clothing choices. 🤔
I love how she's starting a conversation. Forced ghunghat is a reality—I've seen women in rural Rajasthan who can't even step out without covering their face. It's not about choice when you're shamed for not doing it. PM Modi should definitely address this. Women's freedom isn't negotiable. 🔥
Half the comments here are missing the point. She's not saying ban it—she's saying forced ghunghat needs to end. There's a huge difference. My mother was forced to wear it for years after marriage. It affected her health
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.