What Smriti Irani Said About Party Colleague's "Ripped Jeans" Remark

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat triggered a huge controversy last week when suggested that women wearing ripped jeans were degrading society.

Politicians have no business talking about how people dress, Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said on Thursday, in the first full-throated rejoinder from a BJP leader of the controversial "ripped jeans" remark by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat. There are certain things which are sacrosanct and one of them is a woman's right to choose the way she wants to live her life and engage with society as she deems fit, Ms Irani said, speaking at an event organised by the Times Network. "Irrespective, men, women, transgender, politicians have absolutely no business talking about how people dress, what they eat, what they do because ultimately our service is of policy making and ensuring rule of law. There have been faux pas made by many politicians -- men and women," the minister said. Mr Rawat triggered a huge controversy last week when suggested that women wearing ripped jeans were degrading society.