Bajrang Dal asks temple goers to wear ‘culturally appropriate’ dress
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Jabalpur: Posters asking devotees to wear "culturally appropriate" clothes have been put up at 40 temples in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
A spokesperson for Mahakal Sangh International Bajrang Dal, the outfit that issued the posters on Sunday, said devotees should not wear jeans, tops, mini skirts, night suits, and shorts, while women and girls must also cover their heads.
"This should not be taken otherwise. It is up to us to preserve Indian culture. I appeal to women to wear culturally appropriate clothes while visiting temples," he contended.
In January, a renowned temple in Mumbai mandated dress codes for devotees visiting it. The temple authorities announced on Tuesday that they are banning short skirts or revealing clothes. The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust (SSGTT) said devotees would have to wear decent and body-covering clothes, preferably decent Indian attire. Starting next week, devotees wearing revealing or inappropriate attire will not be allowed to enter the temple situated in the Prabhadevi area, the SSGTT said, PTI reported.
The Trust said the dress code decision followed several complaints regarding inappropriate clothing causing discomfort to other devotees.
"Devotees wearing trousers with cuts or torn fabric, short skirts, or clothing that exposes body parts will not be permitted inside the temple," the order stated.
The Trust said the temple attracts thousands of devotees from across the country daily and that many visitors had expressed concerns about attire that they felt was disrespectful in a place of worship.
"After receiving repeated requests, the temple trust decided to implement the dress code to preserve the sanctity of the temple," it said.
The Trust clarified that the dress code is being introduced to ensure that all devotees feel comfortable during their visit and to maintain decorum within the temple premises.