Facing flak for suggesting that foreign woman tourists should not wear skirts in India, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma on Monday clarified his statement saying that it was only in reference to religious places so that the sanctity of the holy places is maintained.
Speaking to reporters, Sharma said, "All I said was that if they enter a temple they should take off their shoes and cover their heads if they are entering a Gurudwara, that's all."
The Union Minister asserted that India is known for its diverse culture and that imposing such a ban was unimaginable. Sharma had stirred a controversy on Sunday saying that a welcome kit is being provided to tourists visiting India and the dos and don'ts on the card advise women not to roam alone at night and not to wear skirts.
The remarks evoked sharp reactions from various quarters with Congress leader Manish Tiwari terming them as "most uncultured remarks" and Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal saying that the comments reveal a very "horrible and pathetic mindset".
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also took a dig at Sharma, saying "Women had greater freedom to wear clothes of their choice in Vedic times than they have in Modi times."
However, clarifying his remarks, Sharma said, "It is a country with different cultures, different eating habits and different dressing senses which change on every 100 kilometre.
"We have a tradition (of saying) Atithi Devo Bhava (the guest is almost like God). Such a ban is unimaginable. I said this as an advisory when going to religious places," Sharma said.
"I am a father of (two) daughters. I have not said what one person should wear or not wear, neither is it desired nor am I authorised to say so. I have only said this as an advice when they visit to religious place," he added.
Further stating that as India's Union Minister it was his right and his job to ensure the safety of foreign tourists, Sharma said that the Government at times released advisories just like other nations, for the safety of the visitors. He also said that he was just asking the tourists to maintain caution and that there was nothing wrong in doing so.