Foreign visitors should not wear skirts or short dresses, says India's tourism minister
Foreign women travelling to India should not wear dresses or skirts and should not walk alone at night “for their own safety”, India’s tourism minister has said.
Speaking to the media in Agra about India’s official safety advice for women, Mahesh Sharma also advised women to take photographs of the number plate of any vehicles they were travelling in.
His remarks have sparked controversy in India, where several high-profile gang rapes and attacks on women in recent years have focused global attention on the problem within the country.
Mr Sharma was speaking on Sunday about a welcome kit for foreign nationals arriving in India, which have been issued since last year and includes the safety guidelines for women.
He said: “In that kit they are given dos and don’ts. These are very small things like, they should not venture out alone at night in small places, or wear skirts, and they should click the photo of the vehicle number plate whenever they travel and send it to friends.”
“For their own safety, women foreign tourists should not wear short dresses and skirts, he said. “Indian culture is different from the western.”
But he denied his comments amounted to a dress code. He later added: “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.”
Were his remarks taken out of context ? After all , he’s just asking tourists to be wary and safe..
MM, I tried hard to focus on the most of the subjects here on QL, but after reading your dumb comments not only me - everyone gets diverted.....:(
Wat to do yani
Mods, Please remove the filthy in put by Rizks ..........
Rizk, Be civilized , do not make dirty comments at this site ................. plus focus at the subject on the hand ........
Ministers of current right-wing govt. in India are bringing bad name to country through their senseless and highly objectionable statements.
You are right, I think the rapist should rape the politicians first....:)
Yes true Rapist are everywhere!
India has a lot of history and culture and tourist should be encouraged to visit, not discouraged ... especially by point scoring politicians!
Godfather, I guess its not just in India where we have cases of rapes.
They need to educate the mens in almost all the countries no matter if its Asia, Europe, Gulf or States etc. etc. The rapist is everywhere !
Not a laughing matter when the RAPE is an epidemic in India. They need to educate their men to behave rather than telling Tourist how to dress in order not to be raped by the HORNY Indians.
britey, she was already invited at my emporium thrice through the back doors.....:)
If its tat funny, then just LAUGH and move on.....:)
Its funny how fascinated India is with half naked white western Cheer leaders at cricket games and almost every other Bollywood movies casts western women in skimpy dresses but then offering advice western tourist not wear short skirts
ha ha ha ha funny that government dont have problem allowing a naked monk to address a meeting in haryana assembly rather then advising western tourist not to wear skirts i hope they dont have issues wearing khakee chaddis
Just Googled Sunny Leone ... It seems that many people have already "googled" Sunny Leone :O)
Wonder why Rizks never mentioned her over a hot Karak ?
Funny that a country that allows Sunny Leone to be an Bollywood icon would impose this kind of restrictions.
Many historians agree that modesty to India was brought by the British.
Rizks: It may be allowed in India depending on the weather and ensuring that something is worn underneath..
It may not be suitable if walking alone in Doha Jadeed of an evening :O(
How about high raised lungi's till the knees or sometimes more ?
Is it allowed ? :(
I think there is a bit of both here..
He is being realistic by recognising that there is an issue and also forewarning female travellers to take care
Sad, however, lets be realistic, all Countries recommend care while travelling alone, at night and in questionable areas,
True, news articles about rape in India, is bad. However, considering the population and the number of crime / rape / etc. is it not being blown out of proportion?
It would be nice to have a world without crime etc etc.
Just my thoughts.
Thats correct "he’s just asking tourists to be wary and safe".
"Welcome kit for foreign nationals!" Ha! Ha!
It could also mean that he thinks that Indian men wanted to rape whenever they see a short dress. Something is wrong in their small brains!