Subramanian Swamy urges BJP MPs to shun western clothing, adopt Indian wear for 'party discipline'

Subramanian Swamy cannot keep himself out of the news. Whether taking potshots at the Narendra Modi government on Twitter or digging up cases of corruption against the Congress, Swamy is known to grab the headlines. This time around the eminent economist has launched the attack over western clothes worn by the country’s ministers, calling on the BJP to let go of the foreign vestige. In another tweet, Swamy also demanded a ban on alcohol, urging the BJP to consider his suggestions for the sake of party discipline.

Western dress is a foreign imposed slavishness. BJP should make it of party discipline for Ministers to wear Indian climate friendly clothes

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) December 26, 2017

Article 49 of Const directs alcohol drinks be banned. While I am not for penal action, BJP should make as part of party discipline.

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) December 26, 2017

Swamy’s aversion to “western-imposed slavishness” may not find many takers even in his own party, which he joined only in 2013. [caption id=“attachment_4276015” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Subramanian Swamy. Reuters[/caption] Not just our mantris but the “pradhan sevak” Narendra Modi himself has worn safari suits, especially in Gujarat. Among the young turks, MoS Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju has often been spotted wearing western formals in the Parliament.  Just five days ago, Olympian and Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore wore western formals to an event at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Such an absolute pleasure to meet the 2016-17 @_NSSIndia Award winners at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

These are the young leaders of #NewIndia. Our future, our pride. pic.twitter.com/gS2D0GWVwb

— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) December 21, 2017

Even Hindutva torchbearers such as Union minister Anantkumar Hegde, who once called the Church a commercially-operated platform is often seen wearing simple western formals.

Union MoS for @MSDESkillIndia Shri @AnantkumarH was recently at an event to promote differently abled youth @PMOIndia @NSDCINDIA @RajeshAgrawal94 @dpradhanbjp @manish__kumar @JayantKrishnaIN @Skill_Abhi_NSDC @ChiranjivGuha @sobinsk @Gaurav_Kapoor @KrishnGaur @jha_anand_mohan pic.twitter.com/wBRtvnRfaD

— Banking, Financial Services & Insurance SSC (@BFSI_SSC) December 18, 2017

Swamy’s latest statement comes as a surpise as it comes from a man who was associated with Harvard University for over three decades, where he completed his PhD in index theory and also went on to teach summer courses at the institution. But this is not the first time Swamy has made such statements. In 2015, he opposed legalisation of homosexuality and tweeted:

Legitimizing homosexuality leads to commercial profit since Gay Bars will be opened in all cities on FDI. It is a genetic flaw celebrated

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) November 29, 2015

In the same year, Swamy had backed Union minister Mahesh Sharma over his statement that girls wanting a night out is unacceptable in India. Talking to ANI, Swamy, once a fierce critic of “Fascist Hindutva” forces, said: “What Mahesh Sharma is saying correctly is that there is a difference between modernisation and westernisation. This whole idea of night out for women is against the culture, but even for men it is against our culture.” “Our culture says you should wake up at 4 am in the morning. If you are going to have a night out, how can you wake up at 4 am?” he futher told ANI. Given Swamy’s reputation of being a motormouth, we can expect some more of this “sanskari gyaan” from him.