Rahul Gandhi Defends Kriti Sanon Amid Social Media Backlash

August 26, 2026

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has come out in support of Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon after she faced criticism on social media over her outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement.

The controversy began after Kriti appeared in an Indo-Western outfit in the advertisement, drawing objections from some social media users and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut.

Responding to the criticism, Kriti questioned why women are still judged by their clothes and said that festivals should be about emotions, traditions and relationships rather than what a woman chooses to wear.

Rahul Gandhi later shared Kriti’s response on his Instagram Story and backed her stance. He said that a woman should have the freedom to decide what she wears, where she goes and what she does, while criticising the trolling directed at her.

The exchange has triggered a broader debate on women’s clothing choices, personal freedom and social expectations, with Rahul Gandhi’s intervention adding a political angle to the controversy.