Should people be a certain age to be respected as MPs? Is there a dress code for those who visit the Parliament? What is a politician’s dress code? Most importantly, what should female politicians wear? Is an MP permitted to take pictures outside the parliament? While such questions haven’t really been asked before, opinions surrounding them are innumerable today. What is upsetting is that a politician’s credibility is determined by the kind of clothes he or she wears, more so if it is a woman. What is this hysteria around women’s clothing anyway?
West Bengal MPs Mimi Chakraborty and Nusrat Jahan were severely shamed on social media after they posted pictures of themselves posing in smart casuals and western formals outside the Parliament.
According to sources, the online shame-game began much earlier when old pictures and videos of the two Tollywood actors were being circulated on social media, deeming them unfit to become MPs in the first place.
However, things stooped to a new low after Mimi and Nusrat posted pictures of their first day at the Parliament. Trolls called them out for allegedly wearing “indecent”, “improper”, and “western” outfits, stating that it isn’t something an MP is expected to wear.
I feel Saree would have been a good attire.
— Manish Bothra🇮🇳 (@MoneyMystery) May 28, 2019
It's not Thailand its parliament so this pic is not going good😜
— Indian Rahul 🇮🇳❗ (@Rightousrahul) May 27, 2019
Seems like out on a vacation
— RIJU GANGULY (@INNOCENTDEVILDE) May 27, 2019
Photo session ke liye gai ho kya ??
— bina adhvaryu 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@binaadhvaryu) May 28, 2019
I thought there was a dress code honourable MP…anyways all the best
— Col Kaaushik Sircar (@SircarKaushik) May 28, 2019
Mujhe toh lagrahahe parlament me nehi naya nakri mila air hostess me.
— Prabir Saha (@MithuSaha7575) May 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/rangefox/status/1133304184646713344
I thought you are in Las Vegas but then realized it's our own parliament, felt sad😜
— Indian Rahul 🇮🇳❗ (@Rightousrahul) May 27, 2019
Dear 1st Time Parliamentarians
Being a Legislator is not about showbiz..Get out of your showbiz avatar and become peoples representatives..Best of luck— Sayan Datta । 🇮🇳 । সায়ন দত্ত । (@sayandatta07) May 28, 2019
Hope future won't be about poses n makeups rather serious development to area concerned!! https://t.co/lKtGWmFDq5
— Nikhil Nikks (@NikhilNikks3) May 28, 2019
Amidst all the shaming and crass jokes, it’s heartwarming to see a lot of people stepping up and speaking in favour of the two new MPs. They pointed out how it’s absolutely shameful and downright sexist to troll them based on their outfits and profession.
Love the way u & @nusratchirps carried yourself on your first day in the parl- don’t think any rule book of Parl or Constitution has specified dress code for MPs. Love the spunk & confidence. Maybe u can give fashion tips to other MPs too. May your tribe increase! #NewAgeMPs 🤘🏼😎
— Samia Kapoor (@iSamiakapoor) May 29, 2019
Dear @nusratchirps n @mimichakraborty many congratulations to both of you..you are the symbol of the new gen..cont to be who you are and the way you are..your clothes do not define you,your work will..bring in the change you wish to see..look forward to hear you loud in the Parl. pic.twitter.com/rahchSJYbp
— KhushbuSundar ❤️ (@khushsundar) May 29, 2019
Why is it so difficult to understand that a woman's abilities r not really inversely proportional to her external appearance? Really pity those who seem to have a fixed, stereotypical idea of what MPs look like. #ChangePoliticsForGood https://t.co/Et7NrrIGyp
— shamina shafiq (@shaminaaaa) May 28, 2019
Dear @mimichakraborty and @nusratchirps , firstly many congratulations for your debut in the parliament and secondly I loved what you both are wearing, in tune with the changing times 🙂
Keep rocking! pic.twitter.com/hMFqGGnQr1
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) May 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/SanobarFatma/status/1133387239252201473
This is what Dr.Ambedkar dreamt of
U r representing the new generation of the country
U look so confident and I m sure u will show it in ur work too people will look at ur performance and those who will look at ur clothes plz help them with #burnol
Wish u all the best— Dr.Jitendra Awhad (@Awhadspeaks) May 28, 2019
বেশ করেছে #parliament এর সামনে ছবি তুলেছে।আমরা শুতে বসতে ছবি তুলি & it’s their biggest day!! They won the election, people voted for them & they are rightfully there. Code of parliament doesn’t say ‘jeans not allowed’ so stop having a fucking problem with every God damn thing. pic.twitter.com/iBWMaK3Y32
— Swastika Mukherjee (@swastika24) May 28, 2019
Let us try not to get offended by what a woman wears and focus on the more important issues the country is facing, shall we?