Campaign needed to do away with 'ghoonghat': Gehlot

Questioning the logic behind the custom of "ghoonghat" in a progressive society, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said a campaign was needed to eradicate it and the participation of men was needed more than the women.

In a male-dominated society, the role of men was important in doing away with such customs that had no logical ground in today's world, the chief minister said.

"The custom of ghoonghat is still prevalent in the society. What is the wisdom in keeping a woman in a veil in a progressive society? We are living in the era of science. The time has come to put an end to this custom," he said.

Stating that a campaign was needed to do away with the custom, Gehlot said, "Women should come forward but more than women, men should come forward because women have to do this (covering their faces with a veil) due to pressure from men in a male-dominated society."