'They Don’t Ask Men This': Sitharaman Flags Gender Bias Over Question On Budget Day Attire

Last Updated:February 02, 2026, 09:26 IST

Nirmala Sitharaman wore a handwoven Kancheevaram silk saree from Tamil Nadu as she presented the Budget for the ninth consecutive time.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shows the digital tablet, enclosed in a traditional red 'bahi-khata' style pouch. (PTI)

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday flagged what she described as gender bias in the attention given to her attire on Budget day, saying the focus often shifts away from her work.

“Every year, it becomes a strain on me because of questions about what I am going to wear on Budget day. I dare ask, would they have ever asked a male finance minister what he is wearing during the Budget? They don’t ask it of a man, but no, even this becomes a subject of the Budget," she said.

Referring to public commentary, Sitharaman said remarks such as “Arre saree kaun sa – what she is going to read what she going to tell us" give undue importance to appearance.

“I don’t find this harmful, this goes way to the direction which is not necessary. This becomes a stress point for women. I am out of it now. I will wear what I want to," she said, adding that such discussions go beyond professional limits.

“How you treat a man, you treat me also… that means that we draw equality in true sense. You can’t demand privileges — Mahila hain ki? Nahi chalega, kaam main dikhao," the finance minister said.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday chose to wear a handwoven Kancheevaram silk saree from Tamil Nadu ahead of her presentation of the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament. She presented the budget for the whopping ninth time in a row.

For her record ninth consecutive budget presentation, Sitharaman’s sartorial choice reaffirmed a tradition that has quietly evolved into a cultural statement.

News india 'They Don’t Ask Men This': Sitharaman Flags Gender Bias Over Question On Budget Day Attire

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