'Women In Ripped Jeans Destroying Culture': Some Very Sexist Comments By Our Politicians

Time and again, many of our politicians have made headlines for all the wrong reasons. And, passing extremely sexist comments is certainly of them.

1. 'With ripped jeans..we running towards nudity'

Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat has debuted in his new role with controversial comments on women wearing ripped jeans and how they cannot - he feels -- provide the right environment at home for children. Rawat made the comments on Tuesday at a workshop organised by the Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in Dehradun. He said he was shocked to see a woman running an NGO in ripped jeans, and was concerned about the example she was setting for society. "If this kind of woman goes out in the society to meet people and solve their problems, what kind of message are we giving out to society, to our kids? It all starts at home. What we do, our kids follow. A child who is taught the right culture at home, no matter how modern he becomes, will never fail in life," said the Chief Minister.

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He expressed his distaste for "bare knees" being exposed by children and bemoaned the fact that while the west followed India's yoga and covering their body, "we run towards nudity."

"Kaynchi se sanskaar (culture by scissors) - showing bare knees, wearing ripped denim and looking like rich kids - these are the values being given now. Where is this coming from, if not at home? What is the fault of teachers or schools? Where am I taking my son, showing his knees and in tattered jeans? Girls are no less, showing their knees. Is this good," he said.

2. 'Rape cases can be stopped only with sanskar not governance'

In October 2020, after the alleged gangrape of a Dalit woman in Hathras, UP, resulted in massive outrage and brought back memories of the Nirbhaya incident from 2012, a BJP MLA in the Ballia district has made a bizarre statement. "I am a teacher along with being an MLA. Such incidents (like rape) can be stopped only with sanskar (culture), not with shasan (good governance) or talwar (referring to sword or might)," the BJP's Surendra Singh said according to a report in NDTV.

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"It's my dharma, government's dhrama but family's dharma too... While the government is committed to protecting, the family should be committed too to imbibe good values in their children. Sanskar and sarkaar can make India beautiful, there is no other alternative," he added as can be heard in the video.

3. 'Jaya Prada wears Khaki underwear'

Samajwadi Party MP, Azam Khan had in 2019, ¡°People of Rampur, people of Uttar Pradesh and people of India, it took you 17 years to understand her reality. But, I could recognize it in 17 days that she wears a khaki underwear.¡± Khan faced social media backlash for his language and sexist jibe addressed towards veteran actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada, contesting polls against him in Rampur. The SP leader is barred by the EC from campaigning for 72 hours, enforced since 6 am on April 16.

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4. 'Skirt waali bai has started wearing a saree'

Addressing a rally in Meerut, BJP¡¯s Jayakaran Gupta said ¡°One Congress leader loudly asks if 'ache din' has come. He can't see the 'ache din'...Skirt waali bai has started wearing sari and visiting temples, those who hate Ganga jal are now visiting the Ganga.¡± The BJP leader was commenting on Priyanka Gandhi. After his comment faced social outrage, Gupta said his remark was not intended for anyone in particular. (Image: ANI Twitter)

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5. 'Liquor sale will spike if given women's names'

In November 2017, in what could breach all the limits of sexism by politicians, a BJP minister from Maharashtra believes that the sale of various liquors will increase if they are given women's names like 'Bobby' and 'Julie'. After hearing the comments from the minister, the Shiv Sena and the Congress wondered if the BJP is pro-alcohol.

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Here's what the minister Girish Mahajan said at an event organised by a sugar factory, which also produces liquor under the brand name 'Maharaja': "These days most of the products are sold in the name of women. Tobacco products are sold only because they are named after women. If you feel that liquor products should be sold on top priority, instead of 'Maharaja', they should be named as 'Maharani','' said Mahajan.