From schools to corporate offices, most regulatory bodies have dress codes. But do you think a place of worship should have one as well?
Well, looks like that may be the case in the state of Karnataka.
Karnataka State Dharmik Parishat, a government religious body that looks after more than 211 temples, has decided to implement a dress code for devotees in all 211 temples in Dakshina Kannada district.
To make it mandatory for people, the religious body has issued the banners.
Harinarayan Asranna, a priest said, ”We have urged devotees to follow dress code which respects our Hindu cultural values. Saree is preferred for women and it should be worn in a way that covers her bosoms properly. For men also we are deciding.”
The member of Bajrang Dal, a Hindu nationalist organisation have also urged temples in Dakshin Kannada to follow the implementation of the dress code. After getting a nod from the government, the Karnataka State Dharmik Parishad will start implementing the dress code in a phased and staggered manner.
However, people on the internet had mixed reactions to the authorities imposing the dress code.
At present, the umbrella body has made traditional dresses mandatory at two temples of the Dakshina Kannada District. The two temples where the dress code has been implemented are Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple and Polali Rajarajeshwari temple respectively.
As per the Times Of India reports, the religious body holds the responsibility of making recommendations on conducting rituals, pujas, and also matters related to the dress code of the devotees visiting the temples, controlled by the govt.
The Hindu religious institutions, as well as the charitable endowments, will first have to approve the recommendations made by the Karnataka State Dharmik Parishad. Later they will be sent to the Cabinet for further approval.
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For regulatory bodies, a dress code makes complete sense but moral policing over especially women seems but too much. Adding to that, recently, a 19-year-old student, who turned up in shorts for an entrance test, was made to wrap a curtain around her legs after she was not allowed to sit for the exam in Assam’s Tezpur town.
So, what are your views over the dress codes imposed on women alone?