New Delhi: A Greater Noida housing society has forbidden residents from wearing “lungis” and “nighties” in common areas so that they don’t offend anyone.
The residents’ welfare association (RWA) of Himsagar Apartments issued a letter on 10 June titled, “Dress code for walking in the premises of the society”. The letter, which has gone viral, urged occupants not to step out of their flats in nightwear.
It read, “It is expected from all of you that whenever you walk in the complex at any time, you should pay special attention to your conduct and dress so that you do not give any chance to someone to object to your behaviour… Therefore, everyone is requested not to roam around wearing lungi and nightie which are home wear.”
RWA president C.K. Kalra defended his decision and said: “If women wear nighties and roam around, that will be uncomfortable for men… and if men wear lungis, it will be uncomfortable for women… So we need to respect each other.”
Kalra said the decision was taken after several women complained about a senior citizen practising yoga in clothes that made them uncomfortable.
He requested residents to pay special attention to individual conduct and dress in a manner which was not offensive to others. Kalra further said the intent was not to discriminate against people or to restrict individual choices.
The decision, however, has sparked much protest online with people commenting that the RWA was trying to judge and police sartorial choices. Many slammed the society’s “weird priorities”, while others said it was impinging on personal freedom.
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