Daijiworld Media Network - Dehradun

Dehradun, Mar 18: Tirath Singh Rawat, the newly elected chief minister of Uttarakhand criticized women wearing ripped jeans which landed himself in a controversy. "What example they set up before their children and the society," he said he wondered.

Rawat was speaking a a workshop organized by the Uttarakhand state commission for protection of child rights in Dehradun when he made the bizzare statement.

He further detailed an incident on-board a flight wherein he said he was shocked to see a woman, with two children wearing ripped jeans and questioned how she could run an NGO. He said he wondered what kind of message would such a woman impart to her children and the society.

However, the statement didn't go well with many. The All India Mahila Congress reacting to the statement tweeted, "Message is in your eyes, Mr BJP Uttarakhand CM, not in women wearing jeans."

Aishwarya Mahadev, Mahila Congress national secretary in a statement in response said, "BJP has reinforced its misogynistic, patriarchal and oppressive mindset yet again wih the statement of Uttarakhand CM Tirath Singh Rawat," and added that he was "following his leader - PM Modi." “The BJP is blaming, shaming and vilifying women to cover up for their pathetic record in ensuring the safety and security of the women of this country,” the statement read.

The Congress also demanded a strong and unequivocal apology from the chief minister for his remarks. Delhi commission of women chief, Swati Maliwal and various other leaders also slammed Rawat for his statement.