No one can dictate what women wear: Naga Babu

Naga Babu appears to have responded rather late to the controversy triggered by actor Sivaji’s remarks on women’s clothing. Nearly five days after the issue snowballed into a major public debate, Naga Babu released a video stating that no individual has the right to dictate what women should or should not wear.

Strongly opposing moral policing, he said it is unconstitutional in India.

Elaborating on his stand, Naga Babu wrote on social media, “The choice of clothing is a woman’s personal right. Moral policing is against the Constitution. Courts have repeatedly held that it violates fundamental rights such as liberty, dignity, privacy, and equality guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21.”

Naga Babu, an actor-turned-politician, currently serves as an MLC in Andhra Pradesh and is a key member of his brother Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party. His statement has drawn attention not only because of its content but also due to the delay in responding to an issue that had already sparked widespread outrage.

The controversy began when actor Sivaji suggested that actresses should dress “decently” and cover their bodies fully while appearing in public. His use of objectionable language led to strong backlash from feminists, women’s commissions, and several celebrities.

While Sivaji later apologised for his choice of words, he stood by his broader suggestion, keeping the debate alive and divisive.