Kashmir Traditional Attire 'Pheran' Ban Draws Flak, Order Revoked After Uproar

Srinagar, December 19: A government order to ban Kashmir’s traditional attire ‘Pheran' was withdrawn after it drew flak from every section of people in the Kashmir Valley. Many people even termed it an attack on the Kashmiri culture. The order was issued on December 11, by Zonal Educational Officer (ZEO) Langate Agha Abdul Rashid. In the order it is mentioned, “All the officers visiting this office are advised to visit with proper dress. It is recommended that no official will visit the office wearing ‘feral’ traditional trousers and slipper/plastic shoes.” Jammu And Kashmir Assembly Dissolution: What it Means For PDP, NC And BJP.

While speaking to The Indian Express, Rashid said that he had withdrawn the order the chief education officer (CEO) asked him to revoke it. The ZEO said that he had passed the order as people used to walk into offices wearing pherans and carrying kangris. 7th Pay Commission: Teachers From Jammu & Kashmir to Protest Today in Delhi Demanding Salary Hike.

Meanwhile, former chief minister of the state Omar Abdullah called the order regressive. On Tuesday Abdullah tweeted, “I fail to understand why pherans should be banned! This is a regressive order that makes no sense at all. Pherans are a very practical way of keeping warm during the cold winter aside from being part of our identity. This order should be withdrawn.”

It is not the first time the traditional attire of Kashmir is embroiled in a controversy. In 2014 also, the Indian Army had to withdraw its advisory for journalists for not wearing pheran while visiting its Corps Headquarters.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 19, 2018 01:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).