Union Tourism minister Mahesh Sharma has advised tourists coming to India to avoid wearing short skirts.
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He further added, “Also if I ask women tourists to be a bit careful while moving around at night then what is wrong in it?”.
He, however, later clarified that he was not calling Western culture bad but was only pointing out the differences between two cultures.
He also mentioned that this is not a compulsion but since Indian culture is different from western culture, foreign tourists should follow it.
Interacting with mediapersons, Sharma elaborated on helpline number 1363 introduced to help foreign tourists. “We have not given any specific instructions regarding what they should wear or not wear. We are not trying to change anyone’s preference”.
“We give welcome kits to tourists when they land at the airport”. The Culture minister suggested foreigners to visit temple towns of Mathura and Vrindavan keeping Indian culture and the sensitivity of the place in mind.
He said that a welcome card is being provided to tourists visiting India which lists the do’s and dont’s and advises women not to roam alone at night and not to wear skirts. Sharma, last year, had stoked controversy by saying that girls wanting a night out was not acceptable in India.
Sharma’s comments incited criticism on Twitter, where some also asked him if it will curb molestations and rape.
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Union culture and tourism minister Mahesh Sharma is at it again.
