National Commission for Women chief slams K J Yesudas jeans remark

Thiruvananthapuram: Criticising legendary singer K.J. Yesudas for his remark against women wearing jeans, Chairperson of National Commission for Women, Lalitha Kumaramangalam, on Saturday said it was unfortunate that such an “unethical” comment was made by the top-notch singer. 

 

“It is unfortunate that such a statement has been made by a man who has been so much in public life, whatever may be his personal view .There is nothing illegal in it but it was unethical,” Kumaramangalam told Mathrubhumi News. 

 

Speaking at a Gandhi Jayanthi function here, Yesudas had said, “women should not cause trouble to others by wearing jeans. What should be covered must be covered.” 

The legendary Malayali singer, who always appears in pristine white 'dhothi' and 'kurta' also said that attire like jeans was against Indian culture, which valued modesty as the greatest quality of women. 

 

The comment by the 74-year-old playback singer  and Carnatic vocalist Yesudas sparked instant protests from women organisations of different political hues.

 

 

The police move comes in the wake of a written complaint filed by Annu Chacko, an activist of Rashtriya Janata Dalwith Thampanoor police on Saturday demanding  police probe into alleged anti-women remarks made by Yesudas at the Music College on Thursday. 

 

“By Monday, after reviewing the video and getting a legal opinion on the issue, we will decide on whether to register a case or not. We cannot rush and take action against an eminent personality just going by media reports,” Mr Venkatesh said. 

 

 Meanwhile, in her complaint, the activist said that she had learnt about the incident through media reports and wanted appropriate action against the singer. “Yes we have received the written complaint. But we have not registered any case based on the complaint yet,’’ a police officer said.

 

The eminent singer, while speaking at the Music college on Thursday, had stated that what should be covered should be covered and women should not trouble others by wearing jeans. 

 

He said people get tempted when women wore jeans and they paid attention to what was beyond it which prompted them to resort to undesirable activities, he added. Yesudas further said that women should not become like men and must behave modestly. Jeans according to him, was unsuitable to Indian culture.