Fashion and technology are two things that come up with new trends and terms every other day and it can be hard to keep up with the latest. But a recent Delhi High Court judgment has you covered for all future confusion over strappy (or those lacking straps) footwear.
Clearing the air once and for all, the High Court said on Monday that women's footwear without a back strap is a sandal, and not a 'chappal' (slippers/flip flops).
No, the High Court did not just happen to make the observation. It assumed importance when the issue in question was the customs duty drawback imposed over sandals vis-a-vis chappals. While the former attracts 10% customs duty drawback, the latter attracts 5%.
However, the internet being the internet, had its fun reacting to the unique ruling. And here are the best reactions.
The nation wants to know...
After Delhi HC decision it would be helpful to decide us what has been thrown over politicians..Sandal Or Chappal pic.twitter.com/0nVBOlgnYh
— Vijendra Singh (@Vijendr09137810) January 30, 2017
mom: CHAPPAL SE MAROONGI
— pr¡ya (@maIfoypotters) January 29, 2017
me: ok but are you sure thats a chappal? does it come with a back strap? https://t.co/uh1vRN89eM
Mystery solved!
Mystery solved. Footwear without back strap is sandal, not chappal: HC https://t.co/893CAbEjGs
— Mayank Jain (@Mayank1029) January 28, 2017
HC solves the biggest problem India is facing right now. pic.twitter.com/FvR9HDfjL1
— The Viral Fever (@TheViralFever) January 28, 2017
Amen! Our Courts are just awesome.. Attending scrupulously pressing issues facing the nation https://t.co/AGYmJSI3GD
— James Wilson (@jamewils) January 28, 2017
The chappal has been promoted, rule Twitterati.
Yesterday I bought a chappal and it's suddenly a sandal now. Daiyyum!https://t.co/wqP6aPsB75
— Riyaz Usman (@riyazusman) January 28, 2017
#achheDin mubarak ho! Chappal ka promotion hua hai, ab woh sandal hai. @sonalkalra
— tarun datta (@taruambrish) January 30, 2017
Identity crisis?
@muglikar_ if footwear without back strap is sandal, not chappal then I wonder what should be the definition of chappal
— Shubham Khandelwal (@itisSK) January 28, 2017
@IndianExpress And what is a shoe without laces? Joota?
— Barnadhya Rwitam (@BarnadhyaRwitam) January 29, 2017
Footwear companies are changing the label of all #chappal without black strap to #sandle after the #DelhiHighCourtDecision #nomorechappal
— Abhilash Mittal (@abhilashmittal) January 30, 2017
Biryani puritans rejoiced the judgment too.
Biryani without Chicken is Pulav, not Biryani: HC
— Saniya Sayed (@Ssaniya25) January 28, 2017
*Much needed*https://t.co/uq2cm9oaPL
Decisions, decisions!
HC - "Your back strap is showing"
— हम्बल-फूल (@shutchup) January 28, 2017
She - *Should I throw chappal or sandal*
HC - HEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHHEHEHE Dhoondte reh jaaoge pic.twitter.com/smXqcCVOfB
The hearing in question was for a footwear manufacturer who was unhappy when the government withdrew the 10% duty drawback saying that the footwear being exported were chappals as they lacked a back strap.
A bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and Najmi Waziri quashed the government's decision and said, “The respondents (Centre and the Revenue Department), in our opinion, acted upon prejudice and a preconceived notion that ladies sandals cannot be without a back strap”.