Bollywood power couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh recently became the faces of the "Experience Abu Dhabi" tourism campaign. The advertisement, meant to showcase the cultural depth of the UAE capital, quickly became a flashpoint for social media debate. The source of the controversy? Deepika's choice to wear an abaya, a long, loose-fitting outer garment, while visiting the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Critics were quick to accuse the actor of hypocrisy, contrasting her current attire with her 2015 'My Choice' campaign. This outrage raises a critical question: is adhering to a sacred site’s dress code an act of betrayal to her feminist stance, or is the criticism itself a deeply flawed misinterpretation of the principle of choice?
The ‘My Choice’ Campaign vs. Cultural Etiquette
The foundation of the online backlash rests on the claim that wearing an abaya contradicts the spirit of the 'My Choice' video, where Deepika passionately advocated for a woman's autonomy over her body and clothing. Commentators framed her decision as a "sellout" or a submission to restrictive religious customs for commercial gain.
However, a fundamental fact is being ignored in the fury: the attire worn by Deepika was not a religious or ideological endorsement, but a mandatory dress code for entering the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world's most revered places of worship. The official guidelines for the mosque require all women visitors, regardless of faith or nationality, to wear modest clothing that covers the body and hair.
For a global ambassador promoting a country, following such a clear protocol is a simple act of cultural respect—not a political statement. It’s an exercise of the same agency she promoted: the choice to be a gracious, respectful visitor in another land.
The True Meaning of Agency and Feminism
The core of genuine feminism lies in a woman's agency—the freedom to make her own decisions without fear of judgment. This freedom must extend both ways: the choice to wear a bikini on a beach and the choice to cover up at a temple or a mosque. The uproar suggests that a woman is only truly "free" if her choices align with a specific, secular, Western-centric ideology of liberation.
This selective criticism, which targets the attire in a foreign religious context while often overlooking Ranveer Singh's similarly modest attire in the same ad, exposes a troubling double standard. Why is the woman’s choice relentlessly policed while the man’s is seen as just "following the rules"?
Furthermore, supporters have pointed out Deepika's history of showing respect in diverse settings, from covering her head at Indian temples to dressing elegantly at international galas. Her action in Abu Dhabi, therefore, reflects cultural fluency and professionalism, demonstrating an ability to adapt and show reverence as a global public figure.
A Debate That Misses the Point
Ultimately, the controversy around the Abu Dhabi ad says less about Deepika Padukone’s integrity or her feminist beliefs and more about the judgmental culture of the online sphere. Her decision was less about hypocrisy and far more about honoring local tradition while on professional duty.
By conflating cultural respect with ideological submission, the critics are ironically attempting to cage her choices, which is precisely what the 'My Choice' campaign spoke against. The freedom to choose includes the choice to respect. In a globalized world, condemning a public figure for showing cultural sensitivity is a self-defeating form of online outrage that undermines the very essence of respectful representation.
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