No skirting this one

Fundamentally wrong

It’s not about clothing or unclothing, but freedom of choice. It’s as ridiculous as telling Muslim women not to wear burqa; completely authoritarian to issue an advisory. What if I go to America and am asked not to wear salwar kameez, but a skirt? Garments are a personal and cultural choice; such an advisory is fundamentally, humanely wrong.

Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry, theatre-person

Make the country safe

It is so very unfortunate. A man of the minister’s standing should be making sure that our country is safe enough for tourists and not issue guidelines on what to wear or not. We are a fairly progressive country and most tourist attractions welcome people dressed in all kinds of attires. We must gear up to make the country safe.

— Snigdha Bawa, ex-vice president, PU students’ council

Dress code must

India is what it is. It’s not a question of right or wrong, but appropriate dressing. It is better that foreign tourists be made culturally aware rather than they jumping in without any caution. I once had a guest who dressed up skimpily to go to the Golden Temple. Now even if you visit Vatican, your shoulders and knees must be covered! It is all about appropriate dressing.

Dr Ramanjit Johal, associate director, Research Promotion Cell, PU

Awareness important

Living in India for close to eight years, I know well enough what to wear where and when. I am not able to dress the way I would back in my country and that is okay. Even at a party, how to dress up holds cultural significance. At a wedding party, I would rather wear a saree than a strapless gown and if I have guests who have travelled abroad, I take out my dress. Even in Chandigarh, you got to be wary. It helps if tourists know beforehand.

Kelly Cabrera Vela, from Peru, settled in India post wedding

— Compiled by Mona