A LinkedIn post by public policy consultant and lawyer Ashima Gulati has sparked a fierce debate online after she revealed an incident in which she was criticised for wearing a sari in her profile picture. The post has drawn attention to gender bias, professional attire and societal expectations, sparking a heated conversation on social media.
It all started when Gulati received an unsolicited message on LinkedIn from a man who suggested that wearing a sari in her profile picture was “not ideal” for her professional image, implying that her choice of the traditional Indian garment was inappropriate. This ill-advised advice sparked questions about the sexism and gender bias underlying such comments, leading Gulati and many others to reflect on these issues.
In her post, Gulati expressed shock and disappointment, condemning the sexism of the comments. She highlighted the frustration of many women who are judged on their appearance rather than their skills or professional achievements.
“Men will rape me for wearing a sari that doesn’t suit them. The irony of receiving such messages/comments on my post calling for non-objectification of women in our daily lives, Bollywood and workplace is too much to ignore,” Gulati wrote.
She also pointed out some disturbing trends in the responses, especially from men. “Some observations from the responses I received from a particular gender are: Women attract men by showing their bodies. Women can protect themselves by avoiding such situations, not working late at night/not wearing clothes of their choice/etc. Men are only attracted/influenced by their bodies and nothing else in society like media, daily jokes, etc. Only a particular economic group rapes!” she continued.
The post quickly went viral, with many users expressing shock and anger at the persistence of such views in today’s society. Reactions to Gulati’s post were mixed, with some expressing support and others strongly condemning the mindset behind such criticism.
One user wrote: « I think the selfish male patriarchy cannot stand a woman living as a human being, free of any property. She is not an individual, but a thought process passed down from generation to generation. »
Another user wrote: « The sheer audacity, the sick mentality, that’s what really baffles me! It’s always a shameless man who makes a comment about a woman, her appearance, what she wears, the way she talks, walks and even what she eats. These disgusting men in our society should be taught a lesson for a lifetime. I’m so proud of you, lady, that you mustered the courage and managed to make a much needed comment! »
“You shouldn’t have hidden his name. People like him need to be exposed in public. Such pathetic mindset coming from working professionals is simply shameful,” wrote the third user.