Indian women become victims of fashion police
Published 14 October, 2008, 06:24
We’re all familiar with the terms fashion police and fashion victims, but authorities in India seem to be taking such terms all too literally! Women in the Indian city of Rajkot are feeling discriminated against over dress restrictions imposed on them by the city police. Anything revealing is out. Many fear that this measure will be repeated in other Indian cities.
According to Rajkot women, the police have shown very bad timing for the initiative. It’s currently a festival period in India, when women are used to dress up. However, any outfit that reveals more than the neck and ankles is not allowed. Many are especially upset because the measure prohibits the traditional backless Choli blouse.
“It's festival time. Everybody has the right to wear what they want. It's just backless. We are not exposing more than that,” says Kalpana, one of Rajkot’s women.
The support for such restrictions comes from the older generation. They say that, nowadays, traditional clothing is being worn as a fashion statement only. Many fear that Indian society is becoming more and more westernised and consider this to be a threat to traditional culture.
“This is an attack on the culture of India. I feel that the westernisation of Indian society must be stopped,” says Manish Shah, a male resident of the city.
The women don't agree and feel that these restrictions are simply discrimination.
“It's the guys who often wear their underwear and then go biking and all that stuff so they should be questioned,” says Kanika from Rajkot. “At least we don't wear undergarments and roam here and there.”
Women in India tend to be fashion conscious and the growing middle class is spending more than ever on clothing. Now, with many internationally respected Indian brands and most global brands present in the market, the garment industry has grown into a multi- million-dollar business.
The restrictions applied in Rajkot have had a ripple effect across the country. Many designers are now worried that their dresses could come under scrutiny.
“Obviously, if people, police, everybody starts interfering, it will affect our business in an adverse way,” says Sonia Jaitley, an Indian fashion designer. “Because then we will be restricted to design to set patterns and formats, which should be left to the discretion of the designer.”
So far the restrictions are restricted to Rajkot and for the festival season only. It is yet to be seen whether tougher dress codes come into force across the country.
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