Chennai: A popular magazine in Tamil Nadu is being lambasted after it published an article calling out women for "exceeding their limit" by wearing leggings which it says are "obscene".
Kumutham Reporter, a bi-weekly magazine, also splashed embarrassing pictures of women in leggings when their tops were not in place.
The magazine, which says such outfits "titillate men", claims that it has published the article to create "awareness".
But many have strongly criticised the article and taken to social media to express their outrage. An online petition calling for an apology from the publication has already gathered more than 6000 signatures.
An undergraduate student, Ananya alleged that magazine had published the provocative pictures to shore up sales. "Their pictures are obscene and I suspect their aim is to sell more copies pandering to perverts. It's appalling the magazine has deployed its photographers to capture such embarrassing moments without the consent of the women. Those individuals should sue them."
Deepa Santhanam, a school teacher, said, "This is insane. Men seem to get 'provoked' by everything. Men should change their mind-set."
But there are also those who endorse the views expressed in the article. Ms Vanishree Sekar an entrepreneur in Salem said, "Tight leggings do draw men's vulgar attention in smaller towns and rural areas and I wouldn't want my daughter to risk wearing them in our hometown; of course she's free to wear them when we travel to a metro city."
Leggings and similar outfits are banned on campuses in many universities and colleges in Tamil Nadu who say they prefer formal attire.
Ms Elizabeth Thomas who heads the English Department in Chennai's CTTE College said, "Often women don't follow dress code on what to wear where. Yes sometimes leggings can be an eyesore."
