TDP member Murali Mohan 'advises' women MPs to dress properly, sparks controversy

New Delhi: A TDP member on Thursday created a flutter in the Lok Sabha when he asked women to dress in a dignified manner, triggering protests from women MPs one of whom said he should be asked to leave the House.

The issue cropped up during a debate on atrocities on women and children when the TDP member M Murli Mohan made the remark. "...to uphold the tradition of our Indian culture, I would earnestly appeal to all my sisters, daughters and girls to dress dignifiedly," Mohan said.

Taking strong exception to his remarks, several women members including Supriya Sule (NCP) and Kumari Sushmita Dev (Congress) demanded that the remarks be expunged.

"He (Mohan) should be asked to leave the House...It (remarks) should be expunged," demanded Dev. Hukum Singh, who was in the chair, tried to pacify the agitated members saying, "I will look into it. It is a very serious matter. I entirely agree with you...It should not have happened...just hold on. The Chair will take the decision".

Commenting the reaction of women members to his dress comments, Mohan later told reporters that he would not mind withdrawing his statement if it had disturbed them. "If they feel it is bad, then I don't mind withdrawing (my statement). It they are disturbed by the statement...I will apologise", he said.