New Delhi: Another BJP minister has landed himself in a controversy again. Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has advised foreign women visitors to avoid wearing short skirts in some places of India. He further added that foreign visitors should dress according to Indian culture and also advised them to avoid roaming around at night unnecessarily. Mahesh Sharma faced severe criticism on social media for his regressive comment.
Kapil Mishraurges Mahesh Sharma not to issue defamatory foreign tourist advisory
Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra has written to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma that the advisory, which will restrict the freedom of tourists from doing certain things should not be issued in the interest of travelers. ''Asking foreigners (women) to avoid wearing skirts, while in India, not to roam around the city at night and not to stay alone will reduce the status of the country to a laughing stock,'' he said in the letter. ''The advisory will bring embarrassment and shame to the country on the global stage,'' he added. He added that it will have a negative and deleterious impact on the tourism sector as well. If at all, some religious places have their own rules and restrictions, the foreign tourists have always followed them in letter and spirit. One wonders as to what was the need to issue an overarching advisory that covers all tourist spots in India. ''Therefore, I request you not to implement the advisory in the larger interest of the tourism sector and the image of the country, '' Mr Mishra added.
Kejriwal calls Mahesh Sharma ‘skirt’ remarks as archaic
Taking a dig at Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma over his ‘skirt’ remarks, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said during Vedic times, women had greater freedom to wear clothes of their choice as compared to Modi times. “Women had greater freedom to wear clothes of their choice in Vedic times than they have in Modi times,” Mr Kejriwal tweeted. Yesterday, Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma landed in another controversy after he advised women tourists not to wear skirts in the country. Addressing mediapersons in Agra, Mr Sharma had said, “When tourists arrive at the airport, they are being given a kit which has a card with do’s and dont’s.” “It has instructions like if they are in small areas, they should not roam around alone at night or wear skirts,” he added. (UNI)
