Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
BHUBANESWAR, ORISSA, INDIA, April 4, 2010: Union minister of state environment and forest Jairam Ramesh attraced criticism for opposing the wearing of the traditional ceremonial robes at university events.
“The practice of wearing a traditional colored gown during a convocation ceremony at any university is a barbaric colonial practice. Why can’t we wear simple dress instead of these gowns,” Ramesh said at the seventh convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) at Bhopal Friday. Ramesh had publicly removed his gown and added: “Why cannot we have convocation in simple dress instead of coming dressed up as medieval vicars and popes.”
The Global Council of Indian Christians demanded an apology.