Women’s group ‘bans’ nightgowns in public

Dubbing it ‘indecent’, a vigilante women’s group imposed a ‘ban’ on nightgowns or nighties as they are colloquially called, in a village in Navi Mumbai and even levied a fine on the alleged ‘offenders’. Navi Mumbai is a satellite town of Mumbai.

The order was affixed on a notice board at the entrance of the Gothivli village near Rabale in Navi Mumbai on Monday morning. It imposed a `ban' on women who sported nightgowns outside the confines of their home.

This dictate was the work of a local women’s group identified as Indrayani Mahila Mandal which declared the garment to be ‘indecent’ and inappropriate to be worn in public. A fine of Rs 500 was also slapped on who defied the rule.

However, when the local police learnt about the issue which could trigger an outrage, a meeting was called. At the end of the meeting the group apologized for the order which now stands ‘withdrawn’.

“The meeting was to convey sternly to the vigilante group that our laws don’t permit of such a ban and that personal liberty has been guaranteed by our constitution,” a police officer from the police station told The Hindu.