BHOPAL: The Jain community in Patharia block of Damoh district in the Bundelkhand region is learnt to have decided to dissuade the girls from their community from wearing jeans and T-shirt.

The community members allegedly lit a bonfire of jeans and t-shirts in the presence of minister for agriculture Ramkrishna Kusumaria, who is also an MLA from Patharia,.

"It was a spontaneous decision taken during a religious event of the community this afternoon," said KC Jain, a member of Jain Panchayat of Patharia. "When the girls wear jeans and T-shirt, they are exposed leading to crimes. So we decided to discourage girls from wearing such outfits," he added.

"The girls should wear salwar-kameez and sari in accordance to our culture," Jain said.

Jamuna Jain, another senior community member and a BJP leader, said, "If they continue to wear jeans and T-shirt, we will try to convince them as well as their family."

Soon a number of jeans and t shirts were brought on the spot and set afire. The minister was also present on the occasion and was the first among the lot to set the heap of jeans and t-shirts afire.

