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The newly appointed BJP Chief Minister Of Uttrakhand Tirath Singh Rawat ran into troubled waters with controversial comments on women wearing ripped jeans and how they cannot – he feels — provide the right environment at home for children.
Rawat was speaking at a workshop organised by the Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in Dehradun. Singh said that he was shocked to see a woman running an NGO in ripped jeans, and was concerned about the kind of example she was setting for the society.
According to the Chief Minister, “If this kind of woman goes out in the society to meet people and solve their problems, what kind of message are we giving out to society, to our kids? It all starts at home. What we do, our kids follow. A child who is taught the right culture at home, no matter how modern he becomes, will never fail in life,”.
He further added, “Kaynchi se sanskaar (culture by scissors) – showing bare knees, wearing ripped denim and looking like rich kids – these are the values being given now. Where is this coming from, if not at home? What is the fault of teachers or schools? Where am I taking my son, showing his knees and in tattered jeans? Girls are no less, showing their knees. Is this good,”. Adding fuel to the fire was Rawat’s new Cabinet colleague Ganesh Joshi remark who went a step ahead by adding that women raising ‘good children’ should be the first priority.
Soon after, the remarks of the two BJP leaders have been criticised by opposition leaders and women activists alike. Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal, wondered if a leader with such “corrupt mentality” could represent the people well. “He is enjoying himself while commenting on how a woman close by should be looked at from bottom to top and is resorting to character assassination of women who wear ripped jeans,” she said.
In another tweet, Maliwal remarked that the day was not far when Singh would probably impose Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on those wearing ripped jeans.
Former Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha reacted strongly to Rawat’s statement and asked BJP if it endorsed these comments.Jha also remarked: “A society getting ripped on divisive politics is fine. But “#rippedjeans” destroys our great culture. Kya baathai!”
A society getting ripped on divisive politics is fine. But “#rippedjeans” destroys our great culture.
Kya baat hai!
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) March 17, 2021
Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena, Rajya Sabha MP, in a tweet wrote, Ripped Jeans aur Kitab. The country’s ‘sanskriti’ & ‘sanskaar’ are impacted by men who sit and judge women and their choices. Soch badlo Mukhyamantri Rawat ji, tabhi desh badlega.
Ripped Jeans aur Kitab.
The country’s ‘sanskriti’ & ‘sanskaar’ are impacted by men who sit and judge women and their choices. Soch badlo Mukhyamantri Rawat ji, tabhi desh badlega. #RippedJeansTwitter pic.twitter.com/qYXcN88fY6— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) March 18, 2021
Samajwadi party MP, Jaya Bachchan told ANI: Such statements don’t befit a CM. Those on higher posts must think & make public statements. You say such things in today’s times, you’ll decide who’s cultured & who’s not based on clothes! It’s bad mindset & encourages crimes against women”.
