Miss Bangladesh gets slammed over discrediting Hindu culture — what happened with Tangia Zaman Methila

Tangia Zaman Methila, who represented Bangladesh at Miss Universe 2025, found herself at the centre of an online storm after the national costume she wore on the international stage drew sharp criticism. Supporters praised the look as a tribute to Bangladeshi craft, while many critics accused the design and its public explanation of glossing over Hindu cultural roots — igniting a heated debate about heritage, representation and cultural sensitivity.

What triggered the backlash: the costume, the claim and the reaction

At the heart of the controversy was Methila’s “Queen of Bengal” national costume, a Jamdani-inspired white saree look that included motifs, a lotus pose and jewellery that many users said closely resembled iconography associated with the Hindu goddess Saraswati.

Critics objected not just to the visual similarity but to how the costume’s heritage was described. Several reports said the team labelled the outfit as having “Mughal heritage,” which some commentators felt erased the Hindu-Bengali cultural links of elements like the white saree and lotus symbolism. That perceived mismatch between imagery and explanation amplified the online backlash.

Social media amplified the debate

Social media quickly became the battleground. Threads on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook posts, Instagram comments and threads on regional forums saw a mix of anger, confusion and defence. Some users accused Methila of cultural insensitivity, while others urged restraint and defended her right to showcase a Bangladesh-inspired look on a global stage. Pages covering the pageant picked up screenshots and user reactions, spreading the debate beyond Bangladesh.

Why this matters: culture, artisans and accurate attribution

There are two separate but related concerns driving the conversation.

First, many people feel strongly about accurate cultural attribution. Traditional textiles like Jamdani and classical iconography such as Saraswati’s white drape and lotus posture have layered histories across Bengal’s Hindu and Muslim communities. When public figures or teams present cultural artefacts on a global stage, accurate credit — and sensitivity to origins — matters to communities and to the artisans who create these traditions. Critics argued that framing such imagery solely as “Mughal heritage” risked erasing those connections.

Second, pageant looks are not purely fashion: they’re read as symbols. A contestant’s national costume is often interpreted as a deliberate statement about national identity. That makes clarity and care in how the costume is described especially important. When ambiguity appears, it can fuel accusations that a team is ignoring or rebranding parts of their culture.

What Methila and her team said (and didn’t say)

Different outlets reported slightly different wordings from Methila’s team — some emphasised celebration of Bangladeshi craft and Jamdani weaving, while others quoted the Mughal-heritage line that sparked objections.

Importantly, after the initial backlash, supporters and some national media pushed back against the online pile-on, reminding readers that Methila had helped raise the profile of Bangladeshi artisans on the Miss Universe stage, and that jumping to harsh conclusions without full context can harm the very creators people claim to defend.

How people reacted — anger, defence and nuance

Reactions split into three broad camps:

• Critics who said the costume’s look and the way it was described were insensitive to Hindu cultural symbols, accusing the team of erasure or misattribution.
• Defenders who highlighted the opportunity for Bangladeshi weavers and designers to get international exposure, and who urged critics not to weaponise cultural debates against a young contestant.
• Nuanced voices who used the moment to ask for better cultural literacy from pageant teams: verify historical claims, credit artisans properly, and explain design choices clearly so audiences aren’t left guessing.

That mix of responses shows why cultural representation on global platforms can be both a bright opportunity and a delicate responsibility.

The bigger picture: heritage is complicated

Bengal’s cultural history is long and interwoven. Textiles, religious iconography and courtly styles evolved through centuries of exchange, influence and local innovation. Simplifying that complexity into a single label — whether “Mughal” or “Hindu-Bengali” — often misses the shared and hybrid character of many traditions.

This incident underscores a simple lesson for cultural ambassadors and their teams: when you present a symbol on the world stage, add context. Explain which elements come from which traditions, name the artisans, and be transparent about creative choices. That reduces misunderstandings and honours the people behind the work.

Where things stand now for Tangia Zaman Methila

Despite the controversy, Tangia Zaman Methila earned notable recognition at Miss Universe 2025: she advanced Bangladesh into the Miss Universe Top 30 — a milestone that many in Bangladesh celebrated. At the same time, she has faced sustained online scrutiny over older controversies and the national costume debate, showing how public figures can be simultaneously celebrated and critiqued.

How brands, teams and public figures can avoid these pitfalls

If you’re a pageant team, designer or public figure trying to showcase national heritage, consider these practical steps:

• Research and document the specific origins of motifs and techniques.
• Credit the artisans and the regions where the craft came from.
• Communicate clearly in press notes and social posts — don’t leave room for guessing.
• Engage community representatives (historians, cultural groups) before making sweeping heritage claims.

These steps protect the contestant and uplift the communities whose work is on display.

Final thought: respectful representation beats defensive silence

Tangia Zaman Methila’s situation is a reminder that cultural representation on global stages needs attention to detail. Celebrating national craft is valuable — but so is doing it in a way that acknowledges history, credits creators and avoids simplifying complex cultural lineages.

For readers and commentators, the best response is constructive: ask questions, demand clarity, and centre the artisans and communities whose heritage is being presented. That way, national pride and cultural respect can go hand in hand.

Also Read: Saina Nehwal Judges Miss Universe 2025!