BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya condemns women wearing revealing clothes in Indore, says it will not be tolerated

[FearlessRoar]

A day after a video of a woman in skimpy clothing went viral in Indore, Madhya Pradesh Minister, and senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya condemned the attire, stating it tarnished the city's image and warned such behaviour would not be tolerated. His comments drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, with Congress questioning, "Who are you to dictate what a woman should wear?"

A young woman sparked controversy after posting videos of herself in revealing clothing while walking through popular street food markets in Indore. The videos, shot at the well-known Meghdoot Chaat Chowpatty and 56 Dukan Chaat Chowpatty, were shared under the title "Public Reaction" and drew sharp criticism from some users on social media, news agency PTI reported.

On Wednesday, the woman, who identified herself as a Dubai resident, issued an apology for her actions. In an emotional statement delivered in Hindi, she expressed deep regret and mentioned suicidal thoughts in the wake of the backlash.

"A woman approached me and complained that some girls are roaming around the city in revealing clothes, which is tarnishing the city's reputation," Vijayvargiya said in a statement. "This is the city of Mata Ahilya, and such behaviour is unacceptable here. People can't just wear anything and walk around. I've made it clear to the authorities that this will not be tolerated in Indore. Some are walking around the market in extremely short clothes. Should we stand by and watch the dignity of women being compromised? We will not allow the deterioration of Indore."

His comments set off a wave of outrage among political opponents, who view the BJP Minister's remark as an attempt to police women’s choices.

Reacting to Vijayvargiya’s remarks, Madhya Pradesh Congress’ Women Wing President Vibha Patel issued a scathing response. "BJP leaders are intoxicated by power. They have no awareness of what they say. Who are they to decide what women should wear?" Patel questioned. "With changing times, the mindset needs to evolve. Leaders cannot force women to dress a certain way or dictate what they should or shouldn't wear."

BJP leader condemns revealing clothes of woman in Indore: Will not be tolerated

Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's comments drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, with Congress questioning, "Who are you to dictate what a woman should wear?"

www.indiatoday.in

Share your thoughts

 

[Stewie]

Sounds like a taliban

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Sounds he like he needs to read the karma sutra and get in touch with what can be tolerated.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Sounds like a taliban

I was confused too, at first. I actually checked the word 'BJP' twice to make sure

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I guess BJP will now get along well with the Talibans in Afghanistan.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I guess we'll see our regular hindutvas who are posting outrage on the Afghanistan thread about women's right to choose their own dress (or lack of) come rushing to this thread to condemn Indian cultural attitudes to female sexual empowerment....not.

 

[Hitman]

Some people love making a fool out of themselves, without even realising it. In fact they believe they are being a hero by spewing garbage. That's all I'll say.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

@Rajdeep do you condemn this Hindu Taliban?

 

[Champ_Pal]

Who is he to tell what a woman can wear? I hope his own family females defy his pathetic morals.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Who is he to tell what a woman can wear? I hope his own family females defy his pathetic morals.

Maybe @Bhaijaan can answer this

 

[Stewie]

Who is he to tell what a woman can wear? I hope his own family females defy his pathetic morals.

I guess what he might be trying to say is that women should not dress like that in public. I saw the pictures he is referring to. Will you be ok with a man walking around in public in his underwear? If you are, well I guess we don’t have much to discuss. But why stop at even an underwear? Why is public nudity a problem in most countries whether partial or full? Why draw the line at having only certain parts covered so much that they don’t leave anything to imagination?

On a broader scale, this comes down to the objectification of women. Do we simply view their worth from a sexual standpoint? If you want to support their right to dress whichever they want, you have to accept that the reasons for the way they dress sometimes don’t come from a good place. More importantly why don’t men feel the need to do it? Because they are not objectified. So in my view this is NOT the norm. There are some human decency issues at play here whether they infringe upon our personal liberties or not.

By the way when I said “sounds like a taliban” I was not supporting taliban either. The taliban might be an extreme case but I actually feel this dude is actually right in what he said believe it or not.

 

[gani999]

I guess we'll see our regular hindutvas who are posting outrage on the Afghanistan thread about women's right to choose their own dress (or lack of) come rushing to this thread to condemn Indian cultural attitudes to female sexual empowerment....not.

The Taliban does not allow women to study, work, have access to medical care or even leave their homes without a male escort.

All this BJP fruitcake is asking for is women not to wear revealing stuff. Apples and oranges, surely?

Not that I support this BJP guy. I believe people, both men and women, should be allowed to wear what they like. But comparing him to Taliban is a bit rich.

 

[deltexas]

What a useless POS this minister is. Dude - go fix the states problems like roads, poverty, illiteracy, women safety. Can guarantee you guys like these do the worst things in their personal lives and watch the most perv things on their phones. Hope this guy i booted out of the next elections. A disgrace.

 

[JaDed]

Sounds like a taliban

He does.. and hopefully is put to his place by Indian Feminists.

 

[Stewie]

He does.. and hopefully is put to his place by Indian Feminists.

True feminists will actually shake their head at this woman walking around in her under wear if you ask me.

 

[JaDed]

True feminists will actually shake their head at this woman walking around in her under wear if you ask me.

That’s for women to decide, Indore is pretty much the only urban metro of central India, I doubt this idiot can change it.

 

[deltexas]

True feminists will actually shake their head at this woman walking around in her under wear if you ask me.

Your Misogynistic thinking to the T - sums it up I guess

 

[Stewie]

Your Misogynistic thinking to the T - sums it up I guess

I don't think you know me well enough to claim that honestly. I suppose to you since I'm a Muslim, I am misogynist.

 

[Stewie]

That’s for women to decide, Indore is pretty much the only urban metro of central India, I doubt this idiot can change it.

I have known women to shake their heads at another woman walking around in public in underwear. No joke! I see it all the time in the US. Bathing costume is different. this woman was walking around in her bra. don't think it's acceptable even in the US.

 

[Stewie]

but its not illegal.. maybe frowned upon. thought I should clarify

 

[sweep_shot]

I have known women to shake their heads at another woman walking around in public in underwear. No joke! I see it all the time in the US. Bathing costume is different. this woman was walking around in her bra. don't think it's acceptable even in the US.

Wow! Bra in public.

That's unacceptable.

 

[Stewie]

Wow! Bra in public.

That's unacceptable.

Did you notice how quickly they wanted to jump down my throat labelling me a misogynist and all, some may even have called me taliban. But I bet anything that they would frown if their own sisters or daughters walked around in public like that, or if they were out with their kids and saw a female walk around in public in just underwear, I doubt they will be ok with it.

They also seem to think this is "feminism". Modern feminism will teach you that women don't need to objectify themselves in such fashion.

Anyhow, I think our fundamental differences aside, I kind of see where this BJP guy is coming from but in a free society you cannot enforce something if its not legal. Comparing him with the Taliban is probably not entirely accurate.

 

[deltexas]

I don't think you know me well enough to claim that honestly. I suppose to you since I'm a Muslim, I am misogynist.

You dont have to be a muslim to be a misogynist. There are plenty of hindu misogynists as well.

 

[sweep_shot]

Did you notice how quickly they wanted to jump down my throat labelling me a misogynist and all, some may even have called me taliban. But I bet anything that they would frown if their own sisters or daughters walked around in public, or if they were out with their kids and saw a female walk around in public in just underwear, they will be ok with it.

They also seem to think this is "feminism". Modern feminism will teach you that women don't need to be objectify themselves in such fashion.

Anyhow, I think our fundamental differences aside, I kind of see where this BJP guy is coming from but in a free society you cannot enforce something if its not legal. Comparing him with the Taliban is probably not entirely accurate.

Exactly.

This is common decency. A decent woman wouldn't walk in bra in public. This is not feminism at all.

 

[Stewie]

if I walk around in a tight chaddi, I am sure women will start yelling at me (even though its fully legal here in the states). I am blessed that way.

 

[JaDed]

I have known women to shake their heads at another woman walking around in public in underwear. No joke! I see it all the time in the US. Bathing costume is different. this woman was walking around in her bra. don't think it's acceptable even in the US.

Yea and I do it too seeing all the guys with their pants down like hobos, I would probably frown at this woman too, but what does the MP mean when he says unacceptable?

 

[Stewie]

Yea and I do it too seeing all the guys with their pants down like hobos, I would probably frown at this woman too, but what does the MP mean when he says unacceptable?

Well that's a good question there now, isn't it? Unlike that Taliban, I hope he is not going to look for public caning and shaming or jail time. Maybe its just public admonishment. Either way, I think the cultural constraints have a lot to do with it. somethings are legal and some are frowned upon. AS long as we recognize and appreciate such subtleties.

I am not sure what Indians laws state about public lewdness or indecency but .. in the west of course it would be considered legal. Not sure about India.

 

[JaDed]

Well that's a good question there now, isn't it? Unlike that Taliban, I hope he is not going to look for public caning and shaming or jail time. Maybe its just public admonishment. Either way, I think the cultural constraints have a lot to do with it. somethings are legal and some are frowned upon. AS long as we recognize and appreciate such subtleties.

I am not sure what Indians laws state about public lewdness or indecency but .. in the west of course it would be considered legal. Not sure about India.

This thread is about his veiled threat and that is being called out.

 

[Stewie]

This thread is about his veiled threat and that is being called out.

What do you mean “veiled” threat? I am not for or against this. I have already made my views clear on how I feel about this. Legally I am not sure what Indians law state on this matter but how do you arrive at the conclusion that he issued a “threat”?

I actually did not read his original statement so I don’t know exactly what was said.

 

[JaDed]

What do you mean “veiled” threat? I am not for or against this. I have already made my views clear on how I feel about this. Legally I am not sure what Indians law state on this matter but how do you arrive at the conclusion that he issued a “threat”?

I actually did not read his original statement so I don’t know exactly what was said.

“This is the city of Mata Ahilya, and such behaviour is unacceptable here. People can't just wear anything and walk around. I've made it clear to the authorities that this will not be tolerated in Indore. Some are walking around the market in extremely short clothes. Should we stand by and watch the dignity of women being compromised? We will not allow the deterioration of Indore."

- His statement, and the woman had already apologised, she was a Dubai Resident, this threat is towards future ones.

 

[Stewie]

“This is the city of Mata Ahilya, and such behaviour is unacceptable here. People can't just wear anything and walk around. I've made it clear to the authorities that this will not be tolerated in Indore. Some are walking around the market in extremely short clothes. Should we stand by and watch the dignity of women being compromised? We will not allow the deterioration of Indore."

- His statement, and the woman had already apologised, she was a Dubai Resident, this threat is towards future ones.

Playing the Devil's advocate: isn't he exercising his freedom of speech here?

 

[Stewie]

by the way you mentioned she is a Dubai resident. I highly doubt she walks around in her bra in Dubai. Very strange!

 

[JaDed]

Playing the Devil's advocate: isn't he exercising his freedom of speech here?

India doesn’t have freedom of speech..

 

[Stewie]

India doesn’t have freedom of speech..

No kidding! but I guess freedom of expression bordering nudity is legal? What a strange dynamic.

I am curious as to what sort of speech and expression is prohibited now (and if any justification is provided for such decisions)

 

[DeadlyVenom]

by the way you mentioned she is a Dubai resident. I highly doubt she walks around in her bra in Dubai. Very strange!

Dubai is a Muslim country and this sort of thing isn't accepted in conservative countries.

In historic India this type of dress was acceptable. Nudity was semi normal. Only it became an issue as a result of colonialism and cultural imperialism.

This BJP man doesn't understand his own culture.

 

[Stewie]

Dubai is a Muslim country and this sort of thing isn't accepted in conservative countries.

In historic India this type of dress was acceptable. Nudity was semi normal. Only it became an issue as a result of colonialism and cultural imperialism.

This BJP man doesn't understand his own culture.

Cultural norms and traditions change over the years and centuries. I know for a fact Indians are not culturally as receptive to nudity as say Scandinavian countries where its perfectly normal. I think you are referring to ancient ancient India, way before the British, the moghals, etc came over. I don't think their values or traditions are still the norm in India of today.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Cultural norms and traditions change over the years and centuries. I know for a fact Indians are not culturally as receptive to nudity as say Scandinavian countries where its perfectly normal. I think you are referring to ancient ancient India, way before the British, the moghals, etc came over. I don't think their values or traditions are still the norm in India of today.

Nah it wasn't that long ago. For example Some parts of South India had Hindu rulers that required men and women to bare their breasts in front of higher caste people. I think that was during Mughal times or British times.

I would expect a BJP member to want to restore ALL of their heritage and not restrict it to street names and pulling down mosques.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

India is progressing. This should be in 'Bharat: Positive developments thread'.

 

[HalBass9]

India is progressing. This should be in 'Bharat: Positive developments thread'.

Bharat's progress is truly remarkable, if you only measure it by the size of the wallet, of course.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Maybe @Bhaijaan can answer this

It’s all about common sense.
I don’t see the point of going on the streets wearing a bra. Even in western countries it would be considered indecent. This was however a publicity stunt by the woman.

 

[Red-Indian]

Democracy and freedom place you in these awkward positions where you can thoroughly disapprove of some actions/words but have to fervently support the rights of the actors/speakers.

This is one of those cases where it's obviously absurd for a woman to be walking around in public in underwear in a conservative Indian heartland city but she clearly has the legal right to do so. I've seen plenty of women in Metro nightclubs wearing similar clothes.

Similarly the politician has the right to speak up against it as long as he doesn't use his authority to act against the law.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The Taliban does not allow women to study, work, have access to medical care or even leave their homes without a male escort.

All this BJP fruitcake is asking for is women not to wear revealing stuff. Apples and oranges, surely?

Not that I support this BJP guy. I believe people, both men and women, should be allowed to wear what they like. But comparing him to Taliban is a bit rich.

The Taliban dress codes are based on religious dogma which have been encoded over several centuries. At least they have some religious justification for their ideology, they will just point to Islamic rulings compiled over that time.

Yet BJP have no such requirements and manage to come up with such mysoginistic views which reflects their natural mentality I guess. What other conclusion can you come to?