Minister In Trouble for "No Skirts" Remark; West Retains Advisories Warning Its Women of Rape in India

NEW DELHI: Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has a penchant for being controversial, without even trying to. His latest: foreigners visiting India should avoid wearing skirts or going out alone at night.”

A storm of protest caught the Minister off guard, and he hastily retracted his statement saying that he was referring only to foreigners visiting religious places. And that he was speaking out of “concern.” As women and even politicians criticised him, Sharma clarified: "I am a father of two daughters...I would never tell women what they should wear or not. Our culture is Atithi Devobhava (the guest is almost like God). Such a ban is unimaginable, but it is not a crime to be cautious. Different countries issue advisories from time to time, but I never said change anyone's way of dressing.”

The Minister’s ‘no skirts’ formula was intended as a solution to ensure safety for tourists in cities like Agra. He was rather proud of the fact that on arrival foreign tourists would be handed over a “welcome-kit” at the airports with a series of do’s and don’ts. And citing a couple of these he said, “.. it has instructions like if they are in small areas, they should not roam around alone at night or wear skirts.”

And that as India is a “cultural country” foreign visitors should keep our ‘different dress code for temples” in mind as well.

The solution has kicked up a storm on the social media with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeting,” women had greater freedom to wear clothes of their choice in Vedic times than they have in Modi times.”

Although there no statistics to prove it, India’s travel industry has been murmuring of a decline in tourist traffic, particularly from the west. Several countries in Europe and the United States have issued travel advisories warning their citizens of increasing incidence of rape in India. The US advisory for instance states categorically:

“Travelers should be aware that there have been reported cases of sexual assault, including rape, of U.S. citizens traveling throughout India. U.S. citizens, particularly women, are cautioned not to travel alone in India.”

“Western women, especially those of African descent, continue to report incidents of verbal and physical harassment by individuals and groups of men. Known locally as “Eve-teasing,” these incidents of sexual harassment can be quite frightening and can quickly cross the line from verbal to physical.”

Women should observe stringent security precautions, including avoiding use of public transport after dark without the company of known and trustworthy companions, restricting evening entertainment to well-known venues, and avoiding isolated areas when alone at any time of day. Keep your hotel room number confidential and make sure hotel room doors have chains, deadlocks, and peep holes. When possible, travel around the area with groups of friends rather than alone. In addition, only hire reliable cars and drivers and avoid traveling alone in hired taxis, especially at night. Use taxis from hotels and pre-paid taxis at airports rather than hailing them on the street. If you encounter threatening situations, call “100” for police assistance (“112” from mobile phones).”

“ Major airports, train stations, popular restaurants, and tourist sites are often used by scam artists looking to prey on visitors, often by creating a distraction. Beware of taxi drivers and others, including train porters, who solicit travelers with "come-on" offers of cheap transportation and/or hotels. Travelers accepting such offers have frequently found themselves the victims of scams, including offers to assist with "necessary" transfers to the domestic airport, disproportionately expensive hotel rooms, unwanted "tours," unwelcome "purchases," extended cab rides, and even threats when the tourists decline to pay. There have been reports of tourists being lured, held hostage and extorted for money in the face of threats of violence against the traveler and his/her family members.”

Similar advisors cautioning against sexual assault have been issued by several countries including the UK, France, Germany and others.