How can an MLA talk of ban on skirts, asks NCW

National Commission for Women Chairperson Mamta Sharma on Monday said Rajasthan MLA Banwari Lal Singhal should apologise over his remark that skirts should be banned in schools.

"It is a weird and sad statement because we want to impose restrictions on the clothing of the girls. I want to tell the MLA that a three-year-old girl and an 80-year-old woman are not provoking anyone by wearing a skirt," she said.

Sharma, who has demanded the enactment of stringent laws to deter people from committing crimes like rape, further said it is extremely painful if we talk about the dress code several years after Independence.

"Why do we want to make these kids prisoners? And if we talk about the dress code several years after Independence, then it is painful. He should understand that in today's age, why should there be a difference between a boy and a girl.  He (MLA) should say that the society should change its mindset," said Sharma.

"From the different comments that are coming nowadays, I think that a leader who reaches the assembly or Parliament with the help of people's vote should at least avoid making these types of remarks. Such comments worsen the environment," she added.

Singhal, a BJP MLA from Alwar (Urban), has demanded a ban on skirts as uniform in schools to keep girls away from 'men's lustful gazes'.

Singhal has asked the state government to prohibit private schools from making girls wear skirts as uniform, citing it as the reason behind increased cases of sexual harassment.

He has also written to Rajasthan Chief Secretary C K Mathew, and demanded that girl students be made to wear shirts and trousers or 'salwar-kameez' to reduce chances of their being subjected to lewd comments or harassment.