‘Kam kapde wali…’: BJP's Kailash Vijayvargiya says he refuses to take photos with women in revealing clothes

Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya stirred controversy on Thursday by saying that he doesn't “like women or girls who wear revealing clothes, to the point where I refuse to take photos with them”.

He also cited a Western proverb that compared brevity of speech with women's choice of clothing—a proverb he said he does not follow. A video of Vijayvargiya’s remarks regarding women’s clothing was widely circulated on social media.

Speaking at an event on Thursday, Vijayvargiya said he considered women as a “form of goddess”.

“If a girl here [in India] wears good and pretty clothes, does good makeup and wears nice jewellery, then people consider her very beautiful. But abroad, if a [woman] wears less clothing, then it is considered good. Now, this is their [foreigners’] thinking,” Vijayvargiya said.

He also deemed inappropriate a foreign proverb comparing leaders' short speeches with women's short clothes.

“Look, there is a western saying which is not good, but this saying is discussed a lot in foreign countries... It is said there [abroad] that just as a girl wearing less clothing is beautiful, similarly, a leader giving a short speech is also very good. There is such a saying in foreign countries, but I do not follow it,” said the Madhya Pradesh BJP minister.

Amidst laughter and applause from the audience, the cabinet minister averred he does not consider this a foreign saying appropriate. “I do not follow this saying. I believe in our country (India), women are a form of goddess. They should wear very good clothes,” he told the gathering.

He added, “I view women as goddesses, and they should wear good clothes. I don't like women or girls who wear revealing clothes [mereko to kam kapde wali ladki achi nahi lagti].”

“When girls come to take selfies with me, I tell them they should come by wearing good clothes and then get a selfie clicked with me. I refuse to take photos with them,” he said.

Vijayvargiya's remarks stir controversy

Many on social media criticised Vijayvargiya over his comments on the clothes of women and girls.

Madhya Pradesh Women's Congress president Vibha Patel said, “Kailash Vijayvargiya finds himself secluded in his party, and that is why he gives such statements to attract the attention of everyone. I would like to tell the BJP leadership that they should warn Kailash Vijayvargiya. It has become his habit to comment on the clothes of women and girls. You can not come into the limelight by commenting on the clothes of women, you should change your behaviour.”

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress accused Kailash Vijayvargiya of repeatedly making “MISOGYNISTIC, CHAUVINISTIC, and PATRIARCHAL statements”. The party said that Vijayvargiya faces no consequences.

“We demand answers from PM @narendramodi: Do you support his views? Is disparaging women now an unofficial policy of your party? Take IMMEDIATE ACTION and demand his RESIGNATION. Anything less will be seen as active endorsement!,” the TMC posted on X.