Kailash Vijayvargiya Sparks Outrage with Remarks on Women’s Attire, Calls Western Fashion ‘Un-Indian’
Senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister for Urban Development, Housing, and Parliamentary Affairs, Kailash Vijayvargiya, has once again found himself at the center of controversy after making contentious remarks about women’s clothing. Speaking at a public event in Indore on Thursday, the veteran politician described the trend of women wearing short outfits as a “foreign concept of beauty” that does not align with Indian cultural values.
Vijayvargiya, a six-time legislator and influential figure in state politics, stated that in Indian tradition, women are revered as goddesses and should dress with “grace and dignity.” He contrasted Indian ideals of beauty—such as elegant attire, jewellery, and makeup—with what he characterized as Western standards that glorify minimal clothing.
“In our culture, women are embodiments of divinity. They should reflect that in the way they dress,” he said at the launch of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, a tree plantation drive held at Sindoor Vatika in Nehru Park, alongside Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava. Further stirring controversy, Vijayvargiya cited a Western saying comparing a good leader who speaks less to a woman who wears less. He firmly rejected the analogy, saying, “We should not measure women—or leaders—by such standards.”
Backlash and Accusations of Misogyny
His remarks have triggered swift backlash from political opponents, activists, and netizens, many of whom accused the minister of promoting regressive, patriarchal views that infringe on women’s rights and personal freedom.
The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) sharply criticized Vijayvargiya on X (formerly Twitter), posting video footage of his speech and writing:
“These are the remarks of a deplorable individual, leader, and Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister. He repeatedly makes misogynistic, chauvinistic, and patriarchal statements, yet faces no consequences. We demand answers from Prime Minister Modi: Do you support his views? Is disparaging women now an unofficial policy of your party? Take IMMEDIATE ACTION and demand his RESIGNATION. Anything less will be seen as active endorsement.”
A Pattern of Controversial Remarks
This is not the first time Vijayvargiya’s comments have sparked outrage. In 2023, he came under fire for comparing women dressed in what he called “bad clothes” to Shurpanakha, the demoness from the Hindu epic Ramayana. That statement, too, was widely condemned as misogynistic and demeaning.
While Vijayvargiya has defended his recent remarks as being rooted in Indian cultural values, critics argue that such views perpetuate outdated gender norms and fail to recognize women’s autonomy in a rapidly evolving society.
The Broader Debate
His comments have reignited a broader debate about the intersection of tradition, morality, and modern identity in India. As the country continues to navigate tensions between conservative values and contemporary ideals of individual freedom, voices across the political and cultural spectrum are increasingly polarized. For now, Vijayvargiya remains unapologetic—but the public conversation around gender, culture, and political accountability is far from over.
