Uttarakhand: Wife defends CM Tirath Singh Rawat’s ‘ripped jeans’ remark

Dehradun: Rashmi Tyagi, wife of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat, on Friday defended her husband’s sexist comment on “ripped jeans” saying that his words were not being presented in full context.

The newly chosen Chief Minister of the hilly state had criticised women for wearing ripped jeans and wondered what values they will impart to their children, triggering a protest from opposition parties, which created much uproar.

Ms Tyagi, in a video-statement, said, “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.”

Mr Rawat had said that youngsters go to the market to buy ripped jeans and if they do not find one, they cut their jeans using scissors.

He described the attire of a woman, who once sat next to him on a flight. “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.

Several opposition leaders had criticised Mr Rawat for this remark. (UNI)