Don’t wear skirts when visiting, says India’s tourism minister

LADY Diana did it. So did Kate Middleton. But now India’s tourism minister has advised female tourists not to wear skirts when visiting his country.

India’s tourism minister says tourists should be handed a list of do’s and don'ts when visiting the country.

INDIA’S tourism and culture minister Mahesh Sharma has drawn widespread criticism after he advised foreign tourists not to wear skirts when visiting the country.

Sharma said tourists would be handed a “a list of dos and don’ts” at airports that would advise them not to wear skirts or go out alone at night if they are in small cities.

The comments drew flak, following which Sharma clarified that he was referring only to religious places and that he “spoke out of concern”.

The late Princess Diana of Wales (top) at The Taj Mahal in Agra on February 11, 1992, and Prince William and Kate (bottom) at the same location on April 16 this year. Both ladies wore outfits cut above the knee.

“I was speaking about religious places, like temples. I did not comment on what women should wear or not. I am the father of two daughters, I cannot put a ban on what women wear,” Sharma said.

Sharma, from the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, has been ridiculed for his controversial comments in the past.

India’s tourism minister Mahesh Sharma. Picture: Twitter

Violence against women has plagued India sparking a public outcry in recent years.

Last year, he said “nights out for girls were not part of Indian culture” and added he would defend India from “encroachment by Western culture.”

Despite the minister’s rebuttal, many Indians criticised him online.

“MaheshSharma go home & make a sandwich. Don’t dictate terms to women under garb of Indian culture,” one Twitter user named SheSays tweeted.