Robert Naorem, State Director for Miss Universe Manipur, has withdrawn the People’s Choice Best National Costume Award in protest against the selection process at Miss Universe India 2024. The decision followed widespread disappointment over the exclusion of Manipur’s Danube Kangjam from the pageant’s top 20 contestants.
Naorem expressed his dissatisfaction on Instagram, stating that the selection was unfair and that Manipur felt strongly that Kangjam deserved a place in the top 20.
Kangjam had received public admiration for her traditional Manipuri Potloi costume, which won her the Best National Costume Award at the event held in Jaipur on September 22. However, despite this recognition, she failed to progress further in the competition.
In contrast, contestants from other northeastern states, including Assam, Mizoram, and Nagaland, secured spots in the top 20, with Nagaland’s Ruopfuzhano Whiso finishing as the fourth runner-up.
