It refers to unnecessary controversy on observations of Andhra Pradesh DGP V Dinesh Reddy wherein the senior police officer reportedly said that certain ‘fashionable’ dresses worn by women are also one of the factors provoking men towards rape, a statement subsequently negated by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.
But the statement of Andhra Pradesh DGP is based on practical aspects which were likewise earlier echoed by India’s first IPS woman officer Kiran Bedi. Already in most Indian hospitals, skirts for nurses have since been replaced by Shalwar-Qameez. Many Indian schools and colleges have also banned skirts worn by girl-students. What more, even schools in UK have also now banned skirts requiring girls to wear pants instead for similar reasons. Our forefathers required ladies to be adequately covered by decent dresses, an aspect endorsed by most Indian religions including Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam.
Deep neck, low-length or sleeveless tops which do not adequately cover body-parts like chest, under-arms or waistline should be avoided in self defence by women.
Madhu Agrawal
Delhi