Uttarakhand: Former Miss Meerut And CM Tirath Singh Rawat's Wife Defends 'Ripped Jeans' Remark

In a statement, Rawat’s wife Rashmi Tyagi said that the entire context in which he made the comment is not being described.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat

Ripped Jeans Controversy:  After the newly elected Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat gave a controversial remark it created a furore among the Netizens with Bollywood celebrities and opposition leaders slamming Rawat for judging women for wearing the choice of their clothes. While the country is demanding an apology from the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, his wife defended his statement on Thursday, saying his words were not being presented in full context.

In a statement, Rawat’s wife Rashmi Tyagi said that the entire context in which he made the comment is not being described.

”He (Tirath Singh Rawat) said that women’s participation is unprecedented in building the society and the country. It is the responsibility of the women of our country to save our cultural heritage, save our identity, save our costumes,” Rashmi, who has been Miss Meerut, clarified. 

What did Tirath Singh Rawat Say?

At an event on Tuesday, Rawat criticised women for wearing ripped jeans and wondered what values they will impart to their children, triggering a protest from opposition parties.

The Uttarakhand chief minister said due to a lack of values, youngsters these days follow strange fashion trends and consider themselves to be big shots after wearing jeans ripped at the knees, while women also follow such trends.

He said youngsters go to the market to buy ripped jeans and If they do not find one, they cut their jeans using scissors.

Rawat went on to describe the attire of a woman, who once sat next to him on a flight.

He said the woman was wearing boots, jeans ripped at the knees and several bangles in her hands with two children travelling with her. "She runs an NGO, goes out in the society and has two children, but she wears jeans ripped at the knees. What values will she impart?" he asked.

Opposition parties demand a public apology from Uttarakhand CM

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a dig at the BJP over Rawat's remarks.

Posting photographs on Twitter of the Prime Minister, Union minister Nitin Gadkari and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat wearing the organisation's traditional khaki shorts, she said: "Oh my God!!! Their knees are showing."

Surjewala said Rawat should be ashamed of himself as his job is to provide good governance and not looking at women with such thoughts.

"If the slightest shame is left, he should resign from the post or apologise to the women of the country," he said.

Congress leader Alka Lamba said many BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders have made similar remarks against women in the past.

She said the women of the country are angry over the recent remarks as those have come from a newly-appointed chief minister.

(With PTI inputs)