Just what should women wear to avoid amorous glances - and harassment - on the streets of Delhi?

A furious debate is going on among the students of Delhi University ever since Kirori Mal College vice principal Virender Kumar's remarks that "revealing dresses" allegedly worn by girls from India's northeast triggered angry responses.

Although a chastened Kumar has apologised, girl students, particularly those from the northeast, are still furious.

"We have the right to choose how we dress. But being comfortable does not necessarily mean wearing vulgar or see-through outfits," said Akamla, a young woman from Nagaland who lives here.

"Probably a section of Delhiites is too conservative to let women wear jeans and shorts and get away with it," she added.

A girl from Manipur called Kumar's remarks offensive.

"This is discrimination. Why should a dress code be imposed on us only?" she asked, emphasising that girls from the northeast wear dresses quite similar to those worn by 'Delhi girls'.

Last month, a girl from Mizoram was abducted and raped near Dhaula Kuan in south Delhi late one night, sparking off a row over the safety of girls from the northeast - and their dressing sense.

Most women students from Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur are known to wear T-shirts, jeans and skirts, at times body hugging.

This, say some, invites lurid comments and unwelcome glances.

But Delhiites insist that it's not just girls from the northeast but women in general are not considered safe in the national capital.

Said Priyanka Gupta, a sales executive of a Delhi-based company: "It's a daily nuisance for us. Harassment is rampant - whether while travelling in a bus or while walking through an isolated area.

"I don't feel switching from jeans to salwar-kameez will change men's attitude towards women, as far as crimes like rape and molestation are concerned," Gupta added. Her friends nod in agreement.

P.L. Mehta, a government employee, said: "I have been to Mizoram, and found that the way of dressing is different there. But I never felt that they (Mizos) are different from us in any way, barring the style of living."

Delhi University professor and Jnanpith Award winner Indira Goswami believes that rape has nothing to do with a dress code. "These crimes can be checked only if society's attitude towards women changes."