Goa Minister Dipak Dhavalikar’s wife Lata has waded into controversy after she asked parents not to send their children to convent schools even as she urged women to desist from aping Western culture, saying it has led to rise in incidents of rape.

Ms. Lata, who is a functionary of right-wing organisation Sanatan Saunstha, was addressing a convention in Margao on Sunday, when she made this statement.

“Hindu men, while leaving from home, should sport a tilak, while women, kumkum. Always celebrate Gudi Padwa as the Hindu New Year and not January 1. Don’t send your children to convent school... say namaskar instead of ‘hello’ when answering a phone call,” she said.

“It’s time we took pride in our rich ancient Indian culture. Now it has become trendy among Indian women not to wear kumkum on forehead; wearing tight and revealing clothes, trimming hair and sporting weird hairdos.

“Incidents of rape are on the rise, largely owing to the fact that women have adopted Western culture,” Ms. Lata felt.

When contacted, her husband, Dipak Dhavalikar, refused to comment.

“I don’t know about any such statement by her. I will get back to you,” he said.