A Khap Panchayat In UP Has Banned Women From Wearing Jeans Because Culture

A Khap Panchayat In UP Has Banned Women From Wearing Jeans Because Culture

Indians place a lot of importance on being traditional and having ‘sanskaar’. Yes, having morals and values are important but you can’t control someone’s life on the pretext of traditions. You know, when you work for a feminist platform, there comes a point when you just stop, roll your eyes and wonder why our society won’t just let women be. Why must they try and control our every movement? Women are expected to the epitome of traditions and values. Because who will marry us if we’re not? Everything from what we wear to where we go is controlled by society on the pretext of ‘Indian sanskaar’ and it’s all a big steaming load crap. Recently, a khap panchayat in UP’s Muzaffarnagar decided to ban jeans for women. They said that people should not follow the western culture and wear only traditional clothes. Remind me again why women can’t choose to wear jeans and still appreciate Indian culture?

On 2nd March, a panchayat convened in Pipalshah village, UP, and decided that women shouldn’t wear jeans and men shouldn’t wear shorts. Apparently, it’s impossible to follow Indian traditions and culture if you’re wearing denim. While announcing this decision, community leader and Kisan Sangh chief Thakur Puran Singh said that the panchayat has decided to ban jeans for women and shorts for men because these apparels are part of the western culture. It was also announced that those found violating the mandate will be punished.

Also Read: This Village In Maharashtra Has Elected An All-Woman Panchayat. It’s Now Cleaner, Inclusive And Menstruation Is No Longer Taboo

According to reports, Thakur Puran Singh said that instead of wearing jeans, women should wear traditional clothes like sarees, ghagra and salwar-kameez. Oh, nice. Another man who attempting to control what women should and shouldn’t wear. Because if he hadn’t told us, how would we choose our clothes in a manner that makes us look ‘sanskaari’? What will it take for them to leave our choices to us? Anyway, he also announced that whoever is found not following this will be boycotted from society.

I just can’t believe that a group of men (I am assuming this is their doing) got together to decide what a woman can and can’t wear. Are we ever going to progress or are we preaching to the deaf? What is the point of stopping women from wearing jeans? I could wear a bikini every day and still be the most traditional person in a room. Clothes don’t determine one’s appreciation for their culture. This is just another way of controlling women and ensuring that they stay oppressed. This narrow mindset that is sadly so prevalent in our society, needs to change if we want to see any kind of change.

https://thehauterfly.com/lifestyle/in-rajasthan-a-man-and-woman-were-made-to-bathe-publicly-by-the-panchayat-why-is-respect-so-easily-dismissed/

Mitali Shah

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