India’s Tourism Minister has defended and adjusted his ‘no skirts’ warning for female tourists, saying it was taken out of context and that he’s not trying to dictate what women wear.
Mahesh Sharma was talking to journalists late last week when he said a ‘list of dos and don’ts’ will be handed out to foreign tourists at airports and would include advice such as what females should avoid wearing.
Although he insisted that the comments were made our of concern, he was criticised by several news sources and was even the subject of an open letter from Indian columnist and author, Ira Trivedi, who dubbed his recommendations to women as “degrading”.
After seeing the backlash, Sharma backtracked his comments, saying he only meant for women to avoid wearing short dresses and skirts in religious areas such as temples.
“Indian culture is different from the western.”
Mahesh Sharma, India Tourism Minister
“I was speaking about religious places, like temples. I did not comment on what women should wear or not.”
He continued, saying he is a father of two young women and knows he “cannot put a ban on what women wear”.
“Such a ban is unimaginable, but it is not a crime to cautious.”
Mahesh Sharma, India Tourism Minister
“Different countries issue advisories from time to time, but I never said change anyone’s way of dressing.”
Sharma’s response has received mixed response from people on Twitter with some accusing him of victim blaming, while others described his comments as ‘the dark reality of India’.
In addition to caution against short skirts, the list of ‘dos and don’ts’ for foreign arrivals will also urge women to avoid venturing “out along at night in small cities”.
