<p>On being asked for safety tips for tourists in Agra, where Taj Mahal is a big draw, Union Minister Mahesh Sharma had a rather bizarre reply. Don't wear skirts -- this was his &lsquo;straightforward&rsquo; advice for tourists.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2016/aug/Mahesh-Sharma-skirts-m.jpg" alt="" /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><em>Mahesh Sharma. Pic/Twitter</em></strong></span></p>
<p>When tourists arrive at Indian airports, they are given a welcome kit, which has dos and don'ts. Adding to this, Sharma was quoted as saying, &ldquo;The welcome kit has instructions, which include that if they are in small cities, they should not roam around alone at night or wear skirts. Also, they should take a picture of the car they are travelling in and send it to their friend.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Terming India as a cultural country, Sharma also said that there is a different dress code for temples. Sharma, however, added that he was not advising people what to wear, but only wanted them to be careful.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Here's how Twitterati reacted to the development: While most posted comments in opposition, some supported the minister too&nbsp;</strong></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/alokpi">@alokpi</a> Patriarchs like <a href="https://twitter.com/dr_maheshsharma">@dr_maheshsharma</a> care a lot about 'pride'. Hurt them right where it hurts - SHAME THEM!</p>
&mdash; Aditya Naik (@adi7yanaik) <a href="https://twitter.com/adi7yanaik/status/770119662323531777">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">No skirts, roaming alone for safety: Culture Min <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a> to women tourists <br />Why not Buy a Cow and roam around with it for more safety?</p>
&mdash; Samar (@Samar_Anarya) <a href="https://twitter.com/Samar_Anarya/status/770121925746188288">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">They will get <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarPradesh?src=hash">#UttarPradesh</a> rid of goondaism? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a> ask men to mind their business instd of dictating women wat to wear and wat not</p>
&mdash; Nikunj Sharma (@IamNikunjj) <a href="https://twitter.com/IamNikunjj/status/770119525832548352">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What's wrong in what Mahesh Sharma said? Isn't it a problem in small towns? Unjust and wrong, but a reality nevertheless, no?</p>
&mdash; Monsieur_Inde (@Tweeter_wapsi) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tweeter_wapsi/status/770119385495269378">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Though de facto"brand ambassador"of whole India,PM enrols as such4 Incredible India,&amp;minister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a> makes foreign tourists fearful?</p>
&mdash; Uma Kant Singh (@umakantsingh_in) <a href="https://twitter.com/umakantsingh_in/status/770119248668655616">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maheshsharma?src=hash">#maheshsharma</a> even if a female tourists was wearing an Indian outfit they will be treated differently because of the colour of their skin.</p>
&mdash; CineMaKi (@CineMaKii) <a href="https://twitter.com/CineMaKii/status/770118947677044737">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/suhelseth">@suhelseth</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/vishakhatalreja">@vishakhatalreja</a> On a lighter note I think the problem is in his name cause Skirt mein ladki ko dekh Mahesh Sharma jaata hai</p>
&mdash; Sindhi (@Mash_Tweetwani) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mash_Tweetwani/status/770118904337301504">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">So, is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a> the pumpkin of the day or is it another hit job by MSM? Credibility of MSM so low that one ought to double check.</p>
&mdash; Optimist (@DesiOptimystic) <a href="https://twitter.com/DesiOptimystic/status/770118708912087040">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">And what <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a> meant is:<br /><br />1) Don't be in solitude. Be a social person.<br />2) DON't Wear as shown: <a href="https://t.co/RAduV1fxyR">pic.twitter.com/RAduV1fxyR</a></p>
&mdash; &agrave;&curren;&sup2;&agrave;&curren;&frac34;&agrave;&curren;&Acirc;&Acirc;&Acirc;&Acirc;u00c2u009f &agrave;&curren;&cedil;&agrave;&curren;&frac34;&agrave;&curren;&sup1;&agrave;&yen;&Acirc;&Acirc;&Acirc;&Acirc;u00c2u0087&agrave;&curren;&not; !!! (@noupdates) <a href="https://twitter.com/noupdates/status/770118525142851586">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why do we even have a culture minister? Are we the Taliban? Culture is fluid and should change with times. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a> is an idiot waise</p>
&mdash; Chokku (@chokelingam) <a href="https://twitter.com/chokelingam/status/770117645718913024">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a> This minister is a joke and a terrible embarrassed to this country. Sack him, period!!</p>
&mdash; amit manuviraj (@amitathome) <a href="https://twitter.com/amitathome/status/770117354554613761">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I m not a bhakt, but wat <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a> said was absolutely correct. Foreign tourists surely need to know dat India is full of skirt-chasers.</p>
&mdash; Ganeshan (@ganeshan_iyer) <a href="https://twitter.com/ganeshan_iyer/status/770116841662480384">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maheshsharma?src=hash">#maheshsharma</a> is a disgrace in the name of govt, he proves you can't believe a doctor blindly, they can be duffers too</p>
&mdash; Jagadiswar Mohapatra (@beingJagadiswar) <a href="https://twitter.com/beingJagadiswar/status/770116312844599296">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Get rid of likes of <a href="https://twitter.com/dr_maheshsharma">@dr_maheshsharma</a> if you really want your govt to succeed <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForeignersSkirtDiktat?src=hash">#ForeignersSkirtDiktat</a></p>
&mdash; Bhuwan Bhaskar (@bhuwanbhaskar) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhuwanbhaskar/status/770116152492167168">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a> 's statement is right. In states like UP, Bihar, Rajasthan there is absolutely no law n order. <br /><br />Anarchy reigns supreme.</p>
&mdash; Bhavatarini (@Sonali1109) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sonali1109/status/770115585770389504">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maheshsharma?src=hash">#maheshsharma</a> Fully agree wth him on need for foreigners to cover tselves adequately at holy places. Many temples in India r following it.</p>
&mdash; Parag hede (@HedeParag) <a href="https://twitter.com/HedeParag/status/770115241808105473">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Union Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a> 's comments not only related to foreign women tourists, it demeans Indian women through "bracketing" them!</p>
&mdash; Uma Kant Singh (@umakantsingh_in) <a href="https://twitter.com/umakantsingh_in/status/770121279072526336">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">India is unsafe and corrupt. Indian police are rude. No way would foreigners visit India even if someone paid them to.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a></p>
&mdash; Gd Here (@Gd_Here) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gd_Here/status/770121210789265409">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">To dictate what women should wear is the lowest form of moral degradation. There is no place for <a href="https://twitter.com/dr_maheshsharma">@dr_maheshsharma</a> in the union ministry.</p>
&mdash; Shashwat Vats (@ImShashwat28) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImShashwat28/status/770121164211519492">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">boo to ministers Anil vij and mahesh Sharma for their actions and comments, highly deplorable</p>
&mdash; Robinson J (@robinjindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/robinjindia/status/770120987648094212">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a> <br />I will Go to Taj in a MiNI skirt .. or hot pants if you have any Gutts <br />Arrest me ??</p>
&mdash; Seema Singh (@seemasingh1971) <a href="https://twitter.com/seemasingh1971/status/770120807423107072">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Probably India's most UNCULTURED Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MaheshSharma?src=hash">#MaheshSharma</a></p>
&mdash; Anil Acharya (@aa3132) <a href="https://twitter.com/aa3132/status/770118784355098628">August 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

On being asked for safety tips for tourists in Agra, where Taj Mahal is a big draw, Union Minister Mahesh Sharma had a rather bizarre reply. Don't wear skirts -- this was his &lsquo;straightforward&rsquo; advice

Twitterati take on culture minister for 'don't wear skirts' comment

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Twitterati take on culture minister for 'don't wear skirts' comment

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