By Firoz.T.Totanawala
The Bangalore Metro Reporter
THE DRESS CODE!
EVERYONE HAS IT. BUT IF A POLITICIAN/OFFICIAL COMMENT, IT BECOMES A CONTROVERSY.
The other day AP’s DGP stirred the Hornet’s Nest by advising the young women to avoid provocative dress. As if on cue, our own Women and Child Minister C.C. Patil also asked women to dress decently. Women activists raised a hue and cry about the unsolicited ‘advice’. Even the Home Minister P. Chidambaram said that it is not the duty of the DGP to give sermons to women about their dress manners. However, the sense of decent dress prevails everywhere in society.
Of course, the controversy had almost died but with TV channels taking it up in their chat shows, it raised its ugly head again. One can imagine women to raise their voice to prevent many more such sermons from officials and politicians. But arguably, the dress code exist all around and only when a politician or an official comments about it, the controversy surfaces, only to die down soon till the next remark.
Truly, the society has stipulated broadly, a sort of dress code for men and women since the Vedic period. But the times have changed and the traditional dress has given way to western touch. Skirts, Mini Skirts and Jeans pants have become the fashion of the day and Salwar Kameez also has become the most popular dress for women. Sarees have retained their dominance among the middle and old aged women and the young professional women prefer Jeans in their work places and even homes.
The influence of western culture on the youth along with exposure in films, TV channels, has worsened the situation. Such is the impact that they question even reasonable restriction imposed on them by the society and family. They have started to assert their freedom including the choice of dress which includes the provocative type.
Arguably, the dress code or decent dressing sense prevails everywhere in society. Auto drivers, Cab drivers, Bus drivers, Pilots, Air Hostesses, Hotel staff, Army, Navy, Air force, Schools, Hospitals, Police, name it any and they all have presentable dress codes. Nowhere can one find provocative uniform or dressing among any employers, employees or any other sector. Can one allow an auto, cab or bus driver to operate in a baniyan because he likes it? Can one allow a pilot to move around airport and operate the flight in a Bermuda and slippers because it is his choice? Can you allow a policeman to come on duty in his night dress if he is comfortable in it? We are a part of our society and it is deemed on us to first prefer society at large than our individual need. And by the way, if the question is about wearing the choice of clothes, it should be for all and everywhere and not for a selective class of people.
The educational institutes have imposed dress code among the students and teachers too. Many colleges have banned tight fitting jeans and revealing tops and other provocative costumes. In fact, the dress code is not only for the girls but for the boys too. In the beginning, many opposed and started asserting their liberty to decide on their dress. But finally, most of the prestigious colleges have enforced the dress code among their students, be they girls or boys.
There is also a dress code among the Corporate and IT giants whether Indian or foreign and nobody is questioning it. The dress code is prescribed for both female and male employees. These companies stipulate that employees dress and present themselves decently. In fact, the companies stipulate the dress code in the appointment order itself. It is another matter that they allow their employees to wear casual dresses once a week, but here too, highly provocative dresses are frowned upon.
Lakhs of IT and Corporate employees follow the dress code without fail. Even the government employees and officials have a dress code. It is not that a Government employee can come in revealing dress to the office. One can see most of the IAS, IPS and other officials, always tucking their shirts in. On occasions, they use the suits. Not a single top official comes to office with slippers and they always as a rule wear shoes to protect the status of their post. No one will see them with their buttons open even if it be their choice. Even women officials have their dress code.
This implies that lower and higher middle class as a rule favour decent dress code that is presentable and acceptable to the society at large. It is mainly the adolescent and college going girls and boys who are obsessed with liberty on their dress code. They say it is their right to wear whatever that deems attracting to them.
The rule of decent dressing exists everywhere and nobody has taken objection to the same. All around, people are asked to dress decently, but, the moment a politician or official comments about it, there is a big controversy and this is really amusing. Consequently, the issue of ‘Liberty’ gets centre stage and there are hot debates and sermons and it finally comes back to square one till the next remark.
That is all.
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