#RippedJeans: Here’s how social media reacted to Uttarakhand CM’s controversial comment

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat on Tuesday, March 16, criticised women for wearing ripped jeans and questioned about the values they will impart to their children. This led to a protest from opposition parties as well as people on social media.

Rawat said that due to a lack of values, youngsters today are following strange fashion trends and consider themselves to be big shots after wearing jeans ripped at the knees. Women also follow such trends.

The chief minister opined that these days youngsters go to the market to buy ripped jeans. If they can't find one, then they cut their jeans using scissors. Rawat went on to describe the attire of a woman who 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. Two children were 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?

Read the full story: What values will women wearing ripped jeans impart: Uttarakhand CM

Soon, #RippedJeansTwitter started to trend on social media and users started posting photos of that attire. Most criticised the statement given by the CM. A lot of people on the internet, directly or indirectly, voiced the sentiment that no one should be judged on what clothes they choose to wear.

Actor Gul Panag posted a photo of her donning a pair of ripped jeans. Author Ruchi Kokcha also joined the trend and tweeted a photo.

Actress Bhumika Chheda wrote: "Ripped jeans anyday better than ripped brains! #RippedJeansTwitter."

Author Ravinder Singh said, "#RippedJeansTwitter is another symbolic Women's Day on Twitter. And for good. Every time idiots in power want to marginalise you, drown them with such a symbolic wave." Radio City's RJ Ginnie wrote: "Ek second you just saw these sir ripped jeans ka KRA society ko message dena nai hai ... chalo hum nai pehnenge - but this ripped thought of culture - how does that get repaired ... any thoughts on that ..."

In a statement, Uttarakhand Congress chief Pritam Singh termed Rawat's remarks "shameful" and demanded that he apologise to women. State Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni said it doesn't suit a chief minister to make a derogatory remark about someone's sartorial choices. She advised the chief minister to avoid making such comments and said they can hurt the public sentiment. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also slammed Rawat over his "distasteful" remarks.

On March 10, Rawat was chosen the leader of the Uttarakhand BJP legislature party, paving the way for his appointment as the new chief minister of the state. He was the state BJP president from 2013-15 and is currently the party's national secretary. He was also an MLA from the Chaubattakhal constituency from 2012-17. His choice as the new chief minister by the BJP comes as a surprise as he was not among the favourites.

Read full story: Tirath Singh Rawat to be new Uttarakhand Chief Minister

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