Nirupama Rao's advice on how women should dress sparks negative reaction online
Former foreign secretary Nirupama Rao is the latest to join the bandwagon of public figures in the country doling out unwanted advice to women on how to dress. The 65-year-old had tweeted that women should dress the ‘Indian’ way to avoid being the focus of unwanted male attention.
(Photo: Twitter)
No sooner had she posted the tweet that many on the internet expressed their outrage. When Rao continued to stick by her statement in consequent tweets, commentators expressed their disappointment at her choice of words.
(Photo: Twitter)
You can read some of the reactions to Rao's tweets below:
@NMenonRao so if dress has to blame for crime against women. 99% of victim in India are Indian Dress while facing crime. @@bainjal
— Paras Mishra (@ParasMishra) August 31, 2016
.@NMenonRao Two links you might find of interest: I Never Ask For It - https://t.co/BaiYSADy4o
— Nilanjana Roy (@nilanjanaroy) August 31, 2016
This, from @HeathaT: https://t.co/C1hYvlEKXn
@NMenonRao extending that, Indians should really not be wearing saris in the US. Skirts advised. @mdreddy6 @bainjal
— Prasanto K Roy (@prasanto) August 31, 2016
@NMenonRao so u are saying North Eastern, Rajsthani Kabilas, Aadivasis are not indians. FOR u mainland dresses are Indian dresses?@bainjal
— Paras Mishra (@ParasMishra) August 31, 2016
@NMenonRao Women also have the right not to wear anything. Won't that give men a deja vu so boring that rape cases disappear ?
— murali naidu (@HonestRambo) August 31, 2016
@NMenonRao Who decides what's sensible? As it's clear that sexual harassment in India isn't limited to skirt wearing adult women. @bainjal
— Saheli (@wistyloony) August 31, 2016
@RuhiRizvi I am sure you girls can crack it but whatever you choose, do not give in to their diktats even in the garb of women security
— Amit Mehra (@amitmehra) August 31, 2016
@NMenonRao Problem is, tweets like these indirectly (implicitly) put the onus of safety on victims. Reinforces #victimblaming in a way.
— Zubin Madon (@ZMadon) August 31, 2016
@NMenonRao why should lonely streets be unsafe regardless of length of attire or loudness of voice, Madam?
— Plumper Nickel (@plumpernickel) August 31, 2016
