Yesudas courts trouble, says women must not wear jeans

New Delhi: Legendary playback singer KJ Yesudas sparked a controversy over women attire. He said that women wearing jeans is against the Indian culture.

The Kerala-born singer on Thursday said that women should not cause trouble to others (men) by wearing jeans. He also said that what needs to be covered should be covered and added that when women wear jeans, men get tempted to look beyond it (jeans). He made the statement during a Gandhi Jayanti function.

The 74-year-old singer further added that jeans go against the Indian culture which values simplicity as one of the most important qualities of a woman.

Protesting against the statement issued by the singer, the members of Mahila Congress took out a march in Thiruvananthapuram. While talking to the media, Mahila Congress leader Bindu Krishna said that such statements are unacceptable and can only be seen as transgression on the freedom of women. She added that Yasudas is a great singer and it is very unfortunate that such comments are coming from him.

This is not the first time that somebody has made such a statement. Earlier, khap panchayats had also issued dictates against women wearing jeans and carrying mobile phones.

KJ Yesudas has won several awards including the prestigious Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan for his contribution in the field of music. 

(With agency inputs)