Sarees being distributed at a camp (representational image) | Photo Credit: PTI

New Delhi: An opinion piece in New York Times (NYT) linking saree with Hindu nationalism by one Asgar Qadri, who supposedly describes himself as 'born in Indian Controlled Kashmir', has created furore on social media.

In his piece published on November 12, Qadri has cited that the government has been pressing Indian fashion industry to promote traditional Indian attire and bypass western styles, in an effort to project the country as a "Hindu nation".

Also read: Free people of PoK: India tells Pakistan at United Nations

where.. "BJP govt.. 'aggressively' promoting Saree.. to project India...as a Hindu nation."

what do these firangis know...Our love affair with Saree started long before NYT or BJP existedhttps://t.co/aPA6bWVznp — parmarsap (@parmarsap) November 14, 2017

"Mr. Modi’s effort to restore Indian-ness in Indian fashion began with his Make in India campaign, announced just months after he took office. The initiative to encourage local manufacturing was initially led by an urbane party politician and fashion designer from Mumbai, Shaina Nana Chudasama, popularly known by her nickname of Shaina NC," Qadri has cited in his article which appeared in the print version of NYT on November 13.

This kind of idiotic story in the New York Times confirms the Modi government’s suspicion that foreign newspapers lie about it. pic.twitter.com/Xoj0oeL7Lc — Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) November 13, 2017

"The government’s aim certainly has been to produce a popular fashion aesthetic that matches the broader political program of Hindu nationalism. But the world is more open to cultural change than it ever has been before, so will that effort ultimately succeed?"

Googled the sulla author of the NYT "saree nationalism" piece. Turns out he is born in "Indian controlled Kashmir" and researches "nationalism in south asia". Enough said. — Kartik Sivaraman (@calm_sutra) November 14, 2017

The views triggered a massive backlash on social media with Twitterati accusing Qadri of inappropriately linking Saree to religion.

"Googled the sulla author of the NYT "saree nationalism" piece. Turns out he is born in "Indian controlled Kashmir" and researches "nationalism in South Asia ". Enough said," tweeted one Kartik Sivaraman.

#NYT has concocted a heady cocktail of delirious fiction mixing half-truth, racist insinuations and plain white... https://t.co/Kwmp4C5RFS — India Cause (@indiacause) November 14, 2017

"For One Asgar Qadri, who writes frequently in New York Times (NYT) saree is a symbol of Hindu nationalism. what about Burqa? is it a sign of women empowerment?" tweeted one Abhay Anand.