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Shimla: Dress code has been implemented for the devotees in the Jain temple of Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. It has been said not to give entry to the devotees who come wearing short dress in the temple. The temple administration has called it necessary, citing the need to maintain discipline, decorum and values of Hindu culture.
This temple, run by Shri Digambar Jain Sabha, is popular among the people of the Jain community. The temple administration had recently put up a notice outside the temple regarding the new dress code. It was written in the notice that all women and men should come to the temple wearing decent clothes. Those wearing short clothes, half pants, Bermuda, mini skirt, night suit, torn jeans, frock and three quarter jeans etc. should worship outside the temple premises.
The priest of the Jain temple said this
A Jain temple priest said on Saturday that the decision has been taken keeping in view the changing fashion and dress preferences of women and the erosion of values in Hindu society. The decision had to be taken to maintain decorum, discipline and values, he added. Anyone visiting the temple should be in decent clothes. We have banned the entry of people wearing half pants, half dresses, miniskirts and torn jeans etc.
The priest said that earlier our elders used to go to temples in decent clothes, but now young boys and girls as well as adult women go to temples in short length clothes. This is not good. Pandit Sanjay Kumar Jain, a priest of the Jain temple Shimla, said, “The influx of western habits and culture is eroding our religious values.
A devotee said, “This is a 100 year old temple. This decision reflects our tradition. Those visiting temples in short clothes are violating the customs and traditions associated with these places of worship.”
Another devotee Harsh Jain said, “Our culture does not allow it (wearing short length clothes). When it comes to temples, there are rules that need to be followed. We are adopting western culture and forgetting our own.
Recently, the guardians of the iconic Jama Masjid in New Delhi put up a controversial notice, banning the entry of women unless accompanied by their male companions. However, in view of the protest and outrage on social media, the notice was withdrawn.
