# Urvashi Rautela defends tricolour gown amid flag code row 2026-08-26T18:27:30+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Actress Urvashi Rautela has defended the tricolour-inspired gown she wore at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, rejecting claims that it violated the Flag Code of India. In an interview, she said the outfit was a couture interpretation, not a reproduction of the national flag, and represented her identity as an Indian. The gown, created by Belarusian designer Darya Chermashentseva, took three months to make. Social media users had criticised the gown, arguing that incorporating flag colours and symbols into lower-body attire that trailed on the floor violated the Flag Code of India, 2002, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Under the Act, using the flag as part of a costume below the waist or allowing it to touch the ground can attract up to three years in prison. Rautela pointed out deliberate differences in colour shades, orientation, proportions, materials and the central emblem. No official complaint or legal action has been reported so far. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The Flag Code of India, 2002, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, govern the display and use of the flag. The Act defines the flag broadly to include any visible representation, but prosecutions require intent and a public act. Similar controversies have arisen before, such as when sportswear or fashion items used tricolour patterns, but they rarely led to legal action. What matters here is whether a court would treat a heavily altered, sequinned gown as a visible representation of the flag. Until a complaint is filed, the debate remains social rather than legal. ## Coverage - gulfnews.com Reports Rautela's defence, legal provisions and lack of legal action without slant This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Flag Code of India, Miss Universe, Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, Urvashi Rautela Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/urvashi-rautela-defends-tricolour-gown-amid-flag-code-row/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/urvashi-rautela-defends-tricolour-gown-amid-flag-code-row/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes. How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/