Politicians and their outfits

Even as the country prepared for budget day, two of India’s biggest political parties — BJP and Congress — were busy exchanging diatribes over Rahul Gandhi’s jacket. The BJP claimed that the jacket was a Burberry original, which cost about Rs 63,000. What made the jibe interesting is that Rahul had mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s specially designed suit, that had his named marked on it. He had called the government ‘suit boot ki sarkaar’ back then.

However, the question is: why is what a politician wears an issue for rival parties? Is the idea that politicians should dress simply ingrained in the Indian ethos? We talk to social thinkers.

‘it’s an easy way of reinforcing a stereotype’

People remember stories, not facts. What politicians wear is hardly of consequence till someone chooses to assign meaning to it. It’s an easy way of reinforcing a stereotype and de-positioning a competitor to expose a gap in their words and actions. For me, it is ok and important for politicians to have a particular style that defines them — Indira Gandhi’s hair, Sonia Gandhi’s sarees, Kejriwal’s muffler are all symbols of their individual brand identity.

‘let them enjoy their youth and wear what they want’

It is not their clothes but deeds that should matter. The white khadi shirt and dhoti has become more of a uniform now for politicians. They always carry extra pairs with them  because  khadi  crumbles and gets dirty fast. 

And, this dress code, in a way, alienates them from the common man. Also, what is the point if the purity of white clothes is not visible in their actions? Another thing is that when a politician comes down to the level of a common man — which also includes dressing up like them — would he be able to relate to their thoughts and empathise with them? 

I see many young politicians in parties and moviehouses wearing jeans and T-shirts or coloured shirts, but when they appear in a public function they are back to white. Let them enjoy their youth and wear what  they want. We accept them for what they are and not by what they wear.

‘people are making a note of everything;

Every person has a personal choice. But there is a difference between trolling Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the choice of clothes they wore. The PM has been elected by the people of India and it is the right of the people of India, as well as leaders of Opposition to ask about the expenditure on his clothes. Rahul Gandhi's clothes could have even been gifted, who knows? This was nothing but a mere cheap tactic by the BJP to distract the people from the flaws in the budget. But the people are not fools, they are making a note of everything

‘world’s politicians are impeccably dressed’

I am not surprised at this bickering. In India, parties tend to pick the pettiest of the issues just to put their rivals down. I think if someone wants to dress well, they shouldn’t be attacked for it. Politicians around the world are impeccably dressed and when it comes to the cost, Rahul Gandhi has no other expenses — like he doesn’t have a family to support, so why not? Unfortunately, these kinds of fights do attract the people’s eyeballs and they do affect them. But whether such jibes at rival parties will actually sway a person’s loyalty towards a party, I cannot say.

‘a public figure has to apparently conform to a certain stereotype to be accepted’

I think the reason is that under it all, we are still unconsciously a social society. For years, socialism was the ethos everyone followed. So, if you dressed well, it was seen as conspicuous consumption. In fact, we almost advocated conspicuous poverty. Today, when you’re aspirational, there’s a clash between aspiration and socialism, which we don’t even recognise. Everyone would like to wear a good dress, but you’re not supposed to be too conspicuous about it. I call it a continuation of hypocrisy by other means.

At one level it’s too insignificant to mention. Whether it’s “suit boot ki sarkar” or a Burberry jacket or Narendra Modi’s suit, I think these are all peripherals. And to a certain extent, they’re trying to curb each other’s freedom, because a public figure has to conform to a certain stereotype to be accepted. Another political stereotype is that you’re not supposed to benefit from office. So, if you’re wearing good clothes, it means you are corrupt.