This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-46632982

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Why are Kashmiris sharing photos of traditional dress? Why are Kashmiris sharing photos of traditional dress?
(about 1 hour later)
Officials in Indian-administered Kashmir have reversed an education department ban on employees wearing traditional dress, following an outcry on social media. Officials in Indian-administered Kashmir have reversed an education department ban on employees wearing traditional dress to work, following an outcry on social media.
"All officials visiting the office are advised to visit in proper dress code during any official visit. It is recommended that no official will visit this office wearing pheran, traditional trousers and slipper/plastic shoes," an 11 December circular said."All officials visiting the office are advised to visit in proper dress code during any official visit. It is recommended that no official will visit this office wearing pheran, traditional trousers and slipper/plastic shoes," an 11 December circular said.
In response, Kashmiri social media users protested by sharing images of themselves wearing the pheran - a traditional long coat or cloak worn by both men and women.In response, Kashmiri social media users protested by sharing images of themselves wearing the pheran - a traditional long coat or cloak worn by both men and women.
The ban was later scrapped, though a separate local government proscription on wearing the pheran remains in place in the Civil Secretariat at Srinagar city. The ban was later scrapped, though a separate local government proscription on wearing the pheran remains in place in the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar city.
The outcry comes as Indian-administered Kashmir remains under direct rule from Delhi after the collapse of the coalition government led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in June.The outcry comes as Indian-administered Kashmir remains under direct rule from Delhi after the collapse of the coalition government led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in June.
Many of those to post decried what they saw as an attack on their cultural heritage.Many of those to post decried what they saw as an attack on their cultural heritage.
Omar Abdullah, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, described the ban as "regressive". Omar Abdullah, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, described the ban as "regressive".
Some of those sharing images told of the significance of the pheran to them.Some of those sharing images told of the significance of the pheran to them.
Others described the ban as a "cultural onslaught" and pointed to the practical benefits of the long cloak in cold weather.Others described the ban as a "cultural onslaught" and pointed to the practical benefits of the long cloak in cold weather.
Inevitably, at least one social media user looked to cats to make their point.Inevitably, at least one social media user looked to cats to make their point.
You may also be interested in:You may also be interested in:
Abdul Rashid, the zonal education officer who ordered the ban, confirmed to the Indian Express it had been overturned.Abdul Rashid, the zonal education officer who ordered the ban, confirmed to the Indian Express it had been overturned.
"People used to walk into offices wearing pherans and... I had asked for that to be banned," he said."People used to walk into offices wearing pherans and... I had asked for that to be banned," he said.
"The chief education officer called me and asked me to revoke the order, so I have.""The chief education officer called me and asked me to revoke the order, so I have."
This is not the first time the pheran has been proscribed.This is not the first time the pheran has been proscribed.
In 2014, the Indian army told journalists not to wear the pheran while visiting a corps headquarters in Srinagar.In 2014, the Indian army told journalists not to wear the pheran while visiting a corps headquarters in Srinagar.
Later, the army retracted the order, saying the guideline had been "inadvertent".Later, the army retracted the order, saying the guideline had been "inadvertent".
By BBC UGC and Social News and Pratik Jakhar, BBC MonitoringBy BBC UGC and Social News and Pratik Jakhar, BBC Monitoring