Indian union minister advises tourists ‘not to wear skirts’

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Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State of Culture & Tourism during the Idea Exchange. Express photo by Renuka Puri.

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma advised women tourists not to wear skirts and other “skimpy clothes for their own safety”, in a press conference in Agra on Sunday, sources reported.

Speaking to reporters here, Sharma said, “For their own safety, women foreign tourists should not wear short dresses and skirts. Indian culture is different from the western (culture).”

He also said women tourists should refrain from going out alone at night.

The minister added that this would be part of an advisory+ pamphlet to be given to foreign tourists.

He further advised foreigners visiting the temple towns of Mathura and Vrindavan to keep the sensitivity of Indian culture in mind.

The minister, however, later said: “We have not given any specific instructions regarding what they should wear or not wear. We are asking them to take precaution while going out at night. We are not trying to change anyone’s preference.”

Sharma had stoked a controversy last year too by saying night out for girls was against India’s culture. “Girls wanting a night out may be all right elsewhere, but it is not part of Indian culture,” he had reportedly said.

Courtesy: Times of India

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