A recent sting operation by Tehelka on Delhi and NCR cops brought to light, shocking attitudes of those investigating rape cases.
Rather than treating the case sensitively, they instead hold the victim responsible. One of the reasons is ‘transparent’ and ‘provocative’ (read Western casuals) attire worn by girls. While on one hand, cops take this ‘self-righteous’ stance, another side to the picture is that pubs, discs and nightclubs don’t allow girls/women to wear anything other than Western wear. Metrolife’s random check of these places in Delhi and NCR revealed that girls wearing Indian casuals are refused entry.
Queue up for entering in any local disc wearing even the most expensive salwar-suit or kurta pyjama and occasionally a sari - if you’re out partying post a family wedding, chances are that you will be turned back for not being dressed up ‘correctly’. In a majority of nightclubs and discs, this ‘correct dress code’ means only ‘smart Western casuals’.
Does this mean that despite being in India one is not entitled to party or dance in ‘Indian casuals? If nightclubs, pubs and discotheques are the places to relax and enjoy, why impose a dress code and why not allow Indian wear? As we found out, there is “no reason which rationalises this dress code other than establishing their image of being ‘hip and happening’!
Pramod Joshi, GM, Blues in Connaught Place, says there is “nothing to feel offended” by this norm of wearing only ‘smart western casuals’ as pubs and discotheques’ image demands such attire. “If people come wearing sari or kurti, we request them to wear something that suits the atmosphere and also, so that they don’t look out of place,” he tries reasoning.
It isn’t only the ‘traditional’ clothes discs and nightclubs have a problem with. You can’t walk in wearing rubber slippers, floaters or sneakers either! Don’t ask us ‘why’?
DJ Sunny Sarid, one of the most well-known DJs in the City, thinks that these “guidelines make sense with most nightclubs and pubs being owned by individuals and they are free to enforce their choice. If the club is for a young crowd, the owners impose this, so the image of the place remains hip and happening. I don’t think there is anything wrong,” he says.
“As far as not allowing people in Indian wear, I have seen people coming to party straight from a wedding decked up in traditional clothes. Some do allow it. But yes, most have prohibitions which is alright because a majority of those coming to clubs don’t want to be around a crowd not dressed up in smart Westerns!” Duh?
Interestingly, regulars at nightclubs and pubs disagree and ask who decides what is smart and what is not. The concept of ‘Western only or out’ and not allowing Indians to wear Indian clothes in India is an argument beyond their comprehension.
A post-graduate student Bhavuk Gupta, who visits discs very often, says, “For girls it is an unjust prohibition. We go to a pub or disc to relax. I visit nightclubs very often and I don’t mind if people are dancing around me in Indian clothes!”
What is also indigestible is the definition of ‘smart wear’ suggesting that one can look “smart” only in Western casuals. Says Vaishnavi Anand, “It is about how you carry yourself. I may look smart in a pair of jeans and traditional kurti and not look dignified in an off shoulder dress if I am not comfortable in it.”
This really is a case of d****ed if you do, and d****ed if you don’t. If you want to party, you better turn up in slinky little numbers. What’s worse, be prepared for unwarranted male interest. You see, the woman is to be blamed any which way. Discrimination is not a prerogative of the cops alone. Hypocrisy takes care of the rest.