Good advice about women criticized

Indian ladies normally wear their Saris at ankle length so brief Western clothing looks like a sexual invitation to Indian men

After drawing widespread criticism, India's tourism and culture minister has backtracked after suggesting that female foreign tourists should not wear skirts in the country.

Talking to journalists in the north Indian city of Agra on Sunday, Mahesh Sharma said tourists would be handed a "a list of do's and don'ts" at airports that would advise them "not to wear skirts" or "venture out alone at night in small cities".

"For their own safety, women foreign tourists should not wear short dresses and skirts," he said. "Indian culture is different from the western."

Sharma, whose comments came under fire in India and abroad, clarified on Monday that he was referring only to religious places, and that he "spoke out of concern".

Indian minister advises tourists to 'not wear skirts': After heavy criticism, tourism minister backtracks on earlier remarks, saying he was referring only to religious sites. © Provided by Al Jazeera After heavy criticism, tourism minister backtracks on earlier remarks, saying he was referring only to religious sites. "I was speaking about religious places, like temples. I did not comment on what women should wear or not. I am the father of two daughters, I cannot put a ban on what women wear," Sharma said.

"Such a ban is unimaginable, but it is not a crime to be cautious," he added.  "Different countries issue advisories from time to time, but I never said change anyone's way of dressing."

Despite the minister's rebuttal, many Indians criticised him online.

"Mahesh Sharma go home & make a sandwich. Don't dictate terms to women under garb of Indian culture," one Twitter user using the screen name "SheSays" tweeted.

  "How are you less than a Taliban? They also want to control what to wear, what to eat? " Rajesh Sharma, from the opposition Aam Aadmi Party, asked.

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