Indian culture and short skirts

We get celebrities to give their take on a current issue each week and lend their perspective to a much-discussed topic. This week we talk about: Indian culture and short skirts

Tourism and Culture minister, Mahesh Sharma raised a storm this week when he suggested that female foreign tourists should avoid wearing short dresses and skirts, when in India. The minister was handing out a list of dos and don’ts for foreign tourists when he said that Indian culture was different from the Western one. Under fire, Mahesh retraced his statement, saying he only meant that these clothings shouldn't be worn in religious places. Should ministers should mind their Ps and Qs while representing India on an international stage? Do such unofficial regulations about telling women and tourists how to dress sets a dangerous precedent about moral policing in our country?

Arwa Hussain, model and nutritionist: 'Government should accept diversity in cultures’

In Haryana, Vidhan Sabha Monk Tarun Sagarji was naked as he gave a speech in front of everyone, including women. We respect it because it is their culture. In the same way, we should respect others’ cultures too. Why is wearing a skirt unacceptable? It is the failure of our government that they are not able to provide security to foreign tourists. Wearing a skirt isn’t indecent according to any culture. It’s high time that our government works on creating a better law and order situation in the country, and accept the diversity of cultures. Which century are we living in?

Meghna Pant, author, The Trouble With Women: ‘We need to address male behaviour’

For a minister who should be pushing the government’s agenda of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, Mahesh Sharma has done a great disservice to his portfolio, and to the women of India. He is putting this forth only for women, specifically in the context of a woman’s conduct. His parochial statements tie into the regressive notion that women are to be blamed for crimes against them and that boys will be boys. It also abdicates the government’s responsibilities by instilling fear in the mind of tourists, especially female ones. Does the government  want to propagate such systemic failure, that too on an international level? If we are to move forward as a nation, we have to stop perpetuating notions that shame the victims of sexual violence, and start shaming perpetrators. We need to address male behaviour instead of female behaviour. That will come through leadership and governance. Are you ready for that, Mr Sharma?

Vidya Gopalakrishnan, fashion designer: ‘It is a shortcoming on our side’

It is simply ridiculous to restrict anyone’s choice of clothing, — be it a tourist or a local. It is a major shortcoming on our side if we, as a country, have decided to solely rest the safety of anyone on their way of dressing. On a personal level, I was quite unsatisfied with  a country, which I visited recently. It had many warnings about pickpocketing and theft. Every tourist followed the same precautions, which were mentioned on a popular travel site, in order to minimise theft. It will be sad to have our country be spoken of in a similar manner — to have restrictions and precautions pushed onto women.

Ajay Gandhi, Entrepreneur: ‘Ministers have to shed their regressive ideologies’

The statement is obviously coming from a regressive mindset and ideology. If you put it in the context of this minister’s previous public utterances, he seems serious about it. A progressive, modern, egalitarian society is what we have to aspire to be. Our ministers and politicians have to learn what it really means. They have to shed their regressive ideologies.

Sanjay Pinto, lawyer and media personality: ‘Such comments are an excuse for their failure to do their job’

Obscenity — like beauty — lies in the eye of the beholder. If bigwigs have regressive views, they must keep it to themselves instead of shooting their mouths off with such ridiculous and downright sexist utterances. Their focus must be on making our public places safe for everyone. Spewing such gems of wisdom is also a convenient excuse for their failure to do their job.

Koral Dasgupta, author: ‘We shouldn’t accept these comments lightly’

We are just too used to telling the girls that they need to be careful so that they don’t invite anything unpleasant. This thought runs so deep that it has become almost a part of our culture. Hence it is no surprise that the Tourism  and Culture Minister has made such a statement. But this time around, by trying to advise female tourists with the the same old doctrine, he has done more harm. Our hopeless attempt to ‘protect’ women has reached a greater audience. Instead of warning men to to mend their ways or asking them to join the cause of women’s safety, we keep playing the ‘Indian culture’ card. What respect does this command if we can’t instill basic faith between genders? However, I don’t think this sets any precedence. Such comments will have to be withdrawn every time, just like Mr Sharma did. We, the common people, can do it by not accepting these lightly. a hundred thousand protests and withdrawals later, a new culture will set in.