Tamil magazine Kumudam Reporter's cover story on leggings stirs controversy on social media

A controversy erupted on social media recently when an alleged list of no-nos for girls in Sri Sai Ram Engineering College was circulated on the Internet. The college refuted the allegation calling the circular fake. The list included leggings.

Now, a popular Tamil magazine, Kumudam Reporter, has done a cover story on leggings. The cover shows the backs of three women with the headline reading, “Are leggings obscene? Young women cross the line.”  In no time, social media tweeted its outrage regarding the magazine and this story.

"Obscene Leggings: The youth is crossing the line" (Cover story of Tamil mag, Kumudham Reporter) - Wow, seriously? pic.twitter.com/A1iujmVHP2

— Karthik Srinivasan (@beastoftraal) September 23, 2015

Many wondered whether the hapless women, whose pictures were used on the front page and in the story, were even aware of being included in the article.

Horribly sexist, regressive & completely inappropriate - photos shot without the women's knowledge. #kumudam #shame pic.twitter.com/lkiSkPylJv

— Shiva Jayashankar (@adyarite) September 23, 2015

The article in the magazine stated that some women wore leggings in a manner that was obscene (e.g. too tight or did not cover them well). As a result, the article adds that it makes some men gawk, ogle and stare.

The magazine used photos of women wearing long kurtas with their leggings on its cover and along with the article. All the photos seem to have been taken when their kurtas were lifted in the air thanks to the wind. 

Every woman should wear leggings, pull up shirt,stick out butt & send photograph to Kumudam saying “Decency is a state of mind"

— Aparna Jain (@aparna_jain) September 23, 2015 

Many people on social media have taken the magazine to task for this story.

Kumudam used to be a brilliant magazine. Sadly now they're literally the pits! Terrible cover story! pic.twitter.com/j1iPMAjAEq

— Shakthi (@v_shakthi) September 23, 2015

What a sexist, violating post created by Kumudham. Disgrace! @Kumudam_Com

— Razim Mohammad (@Rasamsadham) September 23, 2015

Sick. Shameful journalism. @Kumudam_Com you need to apologize for this photo. https://t.co/uuoewV7t0n

— Achu (@brahahamin) September 22, 2015