Why Are Politicians Questioned For What They Wear ?

UP Congress candidate Archana Gautam has been trolled for her bikini-clad pictures as they went viral after Congress rolled out its first list for UP Assembly Polls on Thursday. The actor-model will be contesting UP elections from Hastinapur constituency. Gautam urged people not to merge her profession in media with her political career.

After Congress announced its first list of candidates for Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, candidate Archana Gautam has been trolled for her bikini-clad pictures as they went viral on social media. The actor-model Gautam has been fielded by Congress from Hastinapur constituency.

The National Vice President condemned the selection of Archana Gautam stating that it offended the sentiments of Hindus and Jains who revere Hastinapur for its historical and religious significance. “We strongly protest this move and appeal to the party to withdraw her name or we will be forced to protest,” he said in a statement.

Unmoved by these remarks over her profession, Gautam urged people not to merge her professional career as an actor-model with her political career. Retaliating to the comments she received on her bikini pictures, Gautam considers herself as a deserving political candidate who is also proud of her profession.

Rejecting such condemnation and trolls, Congress Leader Alka Lamba supported the candidature of Archana Gautam asking her to stay put and stated that if she wins, it will be “a victory over regressive ideologies.”

In a similar incident, Bengali actors Mimi Chakraborty and Nusrat Jahan were trolled back in 2019 for sporting western outfits in Parliament. The newly-elected members of TMC received sexist trolling over the social media as they posed for their first day as Members of Parliament in front of the premises.

Speaking to IANS, Chakraborty said that women empowerment will be useless if people continue to criticise women for their personal life choices. She mentioned, “If a woman MP's choice of clothing becomes a topic of a heated debate, then all the talk of women empowerment is rubbish. People just like to talk about equality, but it is difficult for them to see any change.”

Chakraborty and Jahan became Members of Parliament after they won Lok Sabha elections in 2019 from their respective constituencies. They received immense trolling after TMC Leader Mamta Banerjee announced them as candidates for 2019 Lok Sabha General Elections.

It’s hypocritical to expect accountability from female politicians for their clothes instead of holding them accountable for their responsibilities as national leaders. Questioning politicians for their choice of clothes is simply sexist and stereotypical.