Friday, May 24th 02:08 PM IST
 

J&K is entitled to have a dress code

Ayeshea Perera

While it is true that individuals ought to have the right to decide what they want to wear, the truth is the real world doesn't always work that way. Cultures are built around shared values including language, customs and dress code. And when an outsider moves into or visits an area with a culture that is especially rigorous about maintaining some of these markers, it is always best to be mindful of not offending or creating unnecessary problems. And this is not an entirely alien concept to us. After all don't many of us dress a certain way when for instance, we visit a Hindu temple or a Muslim shrine? My only argument is that such limitations should not be imposed only on women. If women can't wear short skirts then maybe men shouldn't wear shorts either. But as far as the concept of dressing in accordance with cultural sensibilities goes, there isn't really anything wrong with that.read less read more

Sandip Roy

There’s nothing wrong about being decently dressed. And when in Rome you should do as the Romans do. But when a separatist group thinks it can issue diktats about dress code for all of Kashmir it’s wrong on many levels. This is a state. It’s not a temple or mosque or a private club. A short skirt is not cultural aggression as the group claims (What would it call the destruction of Bamiyan Buddhas?) Short skirts don’t translate to alcoholism and drugs. Consideration towards local culture is good but the last thing Kashmir needs is arming the Jamaat-e-Islami with measuring tapes. read less read more