Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma on Sunday courted a controversy after he advised women tourists not to wear skirts in the country.
Addressing media in Mathura, Sharma, the Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Tourism and Culture, said that the tourists arriving at the airport are given a welcome kit of the do's and don'ts of the country.
Sharma said, "Small things have been mentioned in the welcome kit such as - Don't roam in small towns at night, don't wear small skirts. The do's include, click photographs of number plate of cabs you are travelling in and send it to friends so that the number is stored and circulated,” reported Hindustan Times.
However, when asked, Sharma said he has no intention to suggest a dress code for any visitor.
Sharma's comments incited criticism on Twitter, where some also asked him if it will curb molestations and rape.
Meanwhile, Sharma also said that the centre has decided to develop Vatsalya Gram as a tourist centre, and a proposal has also been prepared to transform Mathura-Vrindavan into a tourist hub.
"A scheme has been chalked out to develop Vatsalya Gram as a tourist centre and a proposal has been prepared to develop Mathura-Vrindavan as a tourist hub under the Rs 175-crore Krishna Circuit scheme."
Sharma also took a jibe at Akhilesh by calling him a "helpless" chief minister.
The Union minister claimed that the BJP would form the government in Uttar Pradesh after the 2017 Assembly election, adding that there was "no challenge" from either the Congress or the BSP.
Addressing media in Mathura, Sharma, the Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Tourism and Culture, said that the tourists arriving at the airport are given a welcome kit of the do's and don'ts of the country.
Sharma said, "Small things have been mentioned in the welcome kit such as - Don't roam in small towns at night, don't wear small skirts. The do's include, click photographs of number plate of cabs you are travelling in and send it to friends so that the number is stored and circulated,” reported Hindustan Times.
However, when asked, Sharma said he has no intention to suggest a dress code for any visitor.
Sharma's comments incited criticism on Twitter, where some also asked him if it will curb molestations and rape.
Meanwhile, Sharma also said that the centre has decided to develop Vatsalya Gram as a tourist centre, and a proposal has also been prepared to transform Mathura-Vrindavan into a tourist hub.
"A scheme has been chalked out to develop Vatsalya Gram as a tourist centre and a proposal has been prepared to develop Mathura-Vrindavan as a tourist hub under the Rs 175-crore Krishna Circuit scheme."
Sharma also took a jibe at Akhilesh by calling him a "helpless" chief minister.
The Union minister claimed that the BJP would form the government in Uttar Pradesh after the 2017 Assembly election, adding that there was "no challenge" from either the Congress or the BSP.