#RippedJeansTwitter trends after Uttarakhand CM's controversial remarks on women wearing distressed denim

While Twitter was flooded with reactions all through Wednesday, #RippedJeansTwitter became one of the top trends on the microblogging platform Thursday morning with netizens using the hashtag to share images in ripped jeans.

Attending a workshop organised by the Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in Dehradun, Rawat shared an incident that he was on a flight when he came across a woman, accompanied by two children, wearing ripped jeans. The woman told him that she runs an NGO.

The Uttarakhand CM said he was concerned about the example she was setting for society.

"If this kind of woman goes out in the society to meet people and solve their problems, what kind of message are we giving out to society, to our kids?" the Uttarakhand Chief Minister said.

Expressing his distaste for "bare knees", Rawat asked: "Kaynchi se sanskaar (culture by scissors) - showing bare knees, wearing ripped denim and looking like rich kids - these are the values being given now. Where is this coming from, if not at home?"

Soon after the comment became viral, several social media users slammed him for his judgement on women clothing.

Congress leader Sanjay Jha was among the first to react.

"Wearing "#rippedjeans" destroys our culture, it seems. It leads to substance abuse. And a societal breakdown. Women should strictly avoid this sacrilege against our pristine customs, says Uttarakhand CM," he tweeted while posting a pic in ripped jeans on Wednesday.

Actor Gul Panag shared a selfie in which she could be seen wearing a distressed jeans.

Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote: "The country's 'sanskriti' & 'sanskaar' are impacted by men who sit and judge women and their choices."

Former Femina Miss India Simran Kaur Mundi also joined the bandwagon of sharing photos in ripped jeans.

The hashtag #RippedJeansTwitter has been used in nearly 16,000 tweets.

Jaya Bachchan reacts:

The remark has also drawn a reaction from veteran actor and Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan who said "Such statements don't befit a Chief Minister."

"Those in higher posts must think and make public statements. You say such things in today's times, you will decide who's cultured and who's not based on clothes? It's bad mindset and encourages crimes against women," Jaya Bachchan was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

 

Jaya Bachchan's image credit: Free internet wallpaper