Ruttie was the original Bombay siren, Jinnah even took on the Brits for her
But it wasn’t until Lord Willingdon became Governor of Bombay that her dress became a political issue. As a close associate of Jinnah’s, Hector Bolitho, later recalled: “Mrs Jinnah wore a low-cut dress that did not please her hostess. While they were seated at the dining table, Lady Willingdon asked an ADC to bring a wrap for Mrs Jinnah, in case she felt cold.” The haughty Jinnah rose from the table, saying, “When Mrs Jinnah feels cold she will say so.” Then he led his wife from the dining room, and from that time, refused to go to Government House again.
The incident sparked a political battle between Jinnah and Lord Willingdon that eventually led to the latter’s departure. It ended in a public brawl, with Jinnah and his supporters breaking into the Town Hall and disrupting a farewell party hosted for Lord Willingdon by the Sheriff of Bombay. It has gone down in Bombay’s history as perhaps the first battle caused by a dress.