New Delhi: At a women’s empowerment event at Delhi University on 12 April, a student was stopped from sharing the stage with Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya because she was wearing a sleeveless outfit.
Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, organised a Women Youth Parliament at Shri Ram College of Commerce, centred on the theme “Nari Shakti: Viksit Bharat ki Awaaz – Strengthening Inclusive Democracy.”
Nineteen-year-old Saarah Sharma from Daulat Ram College was one of the participants and represented the Department of Women and Child Development during the Mock Youth Parliament. However, just before she was to go on stage to felicitate the minister, she was reportedly stopped by an official and replaced by another student because she was wearing a sleeveless kurti.
Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment was the chief guest at the event. More than 500 women participated, including 37 young representatives from Delhi and Uttarakhand who took part in a structured Mock Youth Parliament, representing different ministries.
“They asked us to wear Indian attire, and I was dressed in a white suit with a blue dupatta, which was still considered inappropriate by the official,” she told ThePrint.
During the session, participants shared their views on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, highlighting the importance of women’s leadership and inclusive governance. Sharma questioned how, at an event focused entirely on women, her attire became an issue.
“It was very absurd for me to be questioned about my dressing even after following the dress code. Nowhere was it mentioned that sleeveless outfits were not allowed,” she said. “Don’t MPs wear sarees with sleeveless blouses in Parliament?” she added.
The event was also attended by Nitesh Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports; Priyanka Shukla, CEO of MY Bharat; and Simrit Kaur, Principal of Shri Ram College of Commerce.
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‘Felt embarrassed’
After the event concluded on 12 April, Sharma returned home and posted a video expressing how disturbed she felt about the incident.
“I felt very disgusted and embarrassed because ministry officials commented on my clothes in front of everyone,” she said.
There has been no official clarification from the ministry or the university regarding the incident so far.
Sharma further stated that she was singled out despite others also wearing sleeveless outfits.
“I was not the only one wearing sleeveless clothes, but I was stopped because I was going to felicitate the chief guest,” she said.
The event aimed to highlight the government’s focus on women’s empowerment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Women Youth Parliament was intended as a platform for women to share their perspectives, understand democratic practices, and engage in meaningful policy discussions.
“We had so much to discuss, but at that moment, my sleeveless kurti got all the attention instead of my hard work,” Sharma added.
After Sharma posted the video on social media, many users—especially men—were seen supporting the official’s action, saying that one should dress appropriately for the occasion.
“I think it is the right decision. We all should wear clothes appropriate to the occasion,” wrote a user on Facebook.
However, many women came out in support of Sharma, backing her for speaking up and questioning the official’s remarks about her attire.
“They don’t want sleeveless clothes, they snatch hijabs—what is the problem with them?” asked a user on Instagram.
“Everyone is focusing more on what she wore rather than what she spoke about,” another user wrote on Instagram.
“These are the same people passing bills for women’s empowerment. But I don’t think much will change through such laws if people’s mindset doesn’t change,” said Sharma.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)