PUPPETS OF POLIICS : CONTROVERSY OVER FASHION BY ISHITA AGARWAL

  CONTROVERSY OVER FASHION 

When it comes to fashion and dress code, there is a lot of controversy accompanying it especially in the parliament. For years women have not been allowed to dress as per their liking.Though women of today hold more liberty and freedom of choice to decide their clothing, there are still some restrictions when it comes to representing oneself in the Parliament.

Although it is quiet understandable that there should be some etiquette and dress code to be followed to represent a party in the parliament.

Often we see politicians dressed in simple kurta’s, pyjamas sarees or bandhgalas. The parliament decorum holds them back from wearing jeans or revealing clothes and sometimes these politicians fall prey to heavy criticism if they violate the decorum.

The combination of light colour kurtas with waist coats and pyjamas never go out of style. not only it gives a formal look but also looks elegant in its own way along with representing the indian culture.The jacket is even known as "Modi Jacket"

prominent politicians and their fashion statement

Contrary to the suit and tuxedo popularity in the west, worn by politicians, indian politicians have made sure to reflect indian culture by wearing indian traditional wear on international stages, they are not much influenced by western ways are are not embarrased to flaunt their own culture. 

Sme politicians still have their own style statement. Like Sonia Gandhi whom we always see in a saree with hair made into a neat bun. Or Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee who is mostly always seen in a white saree with slippers and hair bun.  

Talking about the male politicians we have Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal who is also known as the "Muffler man of India", which originates from him wearing muffler very often. it can be called his style statement.

The muffler combination with the iconic party cap got viral when he was seen wearing the same on multiple occasions. 

                                                            Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal - the muffle man 

Fashion could also act as a symbol of ideology or could reflect one’s political thoughts and background. For example, the color saffron or ‘Kesari’ is known to be the symbol of the leading BJP party, likewise green is used to symbolise Mamata Banerjee’s TMC party. Even politicians have something to say about how their dressing sense reflect their political thoughts.

Politicians will always try and reflect the aspirations of their people. If you observe that there is a change of style among them, that's probably because his or her constituent has also evolved in terms of fashion or style," says Milind Deora, a young Congress MP.

Very recently actress-turned-politicians Mimi Chakraborty and Nusrat Jahan were heavily criticized over social media for showing up with western attire in the Parliament. The two women representing TMC Party were both backslashed for not wearing indian clothes. 

Nusrat and Mimi posing outside the Parliament in western attire 

One social media user commented: "Parliament is not a photo studio", while another user slammed Mimi saying "she is not suitable for the position". Another comment read: "You should wear some Indian attire in Parliament. You are going for people not for movie promotions. And keep some respect towards your Bengali society."

If this was not enough, Madhya Pradesh Minister Kamal Patel called for ban of ripped jeans in India

“It is our duty to save our culture. We should maintain our dignity. Our culture never promoted ripped and short clothes. In our culture, women used to wear a lot of clothes but people from western countries used to wear short clothes or no clothes. By following western culture, people are spoiling our own culture,” he said.

He added, “Women and girls are our pride and parents should stop their daughters from wearing ripped jeans for their safety. With the adoption of western clothes, the crime against women has also been increased. The ripped should be banned in India."

References :

muffler man

parliament dresscode