India’s Karnataka governor Vajubhai R Vala has landed in a controversy for his advice to girls — give up fashion and make-up because college is not a platform for a beauty contest, reported deccanchronicle.com.

On Thursday while addressing students during the valedictory event of the 103rd Indian Science Congress in Mysuru he said, ‘You (girls) are not going to college for a beauty competition with your hairs trimmed, lipstick and pepped up eyebrows.’

He further advised, ‘Boys should give up addiction and girls’ fashion. They can’t achieve anything effectively if the focus is on fashion,’ reported Bangalore Mirror.

India Today quoted a student present in the event as saying, ‘What does beauty or fashion have to do with studies? It is something personal. It is an individual’s choice to present self in a specific way. Who said that a fashionable girl is not academic or intelligent? The governor was addressing the valedictory of a Science Congress. Instead of speaking about promoting science, his comments on girls were unnecessary.’

‘Last year on March, the governor was part of another controversy when he had reportedly walked off the stage while the national anthem was being played during an official function at the Raj Bhavan.’