Is there a dress code for ministers? Is T-shirt a casual wear? Madras HC wants to know
These questions came during the submissions on a case against Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin for wearing T-shirts at all government functions
Hours after he was elevated as the Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin attended the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers, at the Raj Bhavan on September 29, wearing a T-shirt with DMK symbol emblazoned prominently (N Manivasagan)
CHENNAI: Is the dress code prescribed by the State government binding on those holding Constitutional posts? Do T-shirts come under the definition of ‘casual attire’? These were some of the questions that the Madras High Court asked both the government and a litigant in a case against Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s choice of attire.
The first division bench of Justice D Krishnakumar and Justice PB Balaji was hearing a PIL objecting to the casual clothes worn by the Deputy CM, alleging it was unconstitutional and illegal.
The petitioner, M Sathya Kumar, submitted that Udhayanidhi is always seen wearing casual T-shirts at all government programmes even in his ministerial office and Deputy Chief Minister's cabin. He argued that this was against the dress code prescribed in the Tamil Nadu Secretariat Office Manual, later amended by a Government Order in 2019.
The GO had prescribed that government servants should wear formal attire or Tamil ethnic wear Veshti, he said, claiming that Udhayanidhi breached the order.
Kumar added that Udhayanidhi was acting as an election agent by sporting the ruling DMK's symbol on his T-shirt while holding public office, which is against Section 134A of the Representation of People Act, 1951.
Also Read: DyCM Udhayanidhi's t-shirt-jeans look does not qualify as formal attire, says plea filed in HC
The bench asked the litigant whether the GO on dress code was binding on persons holding constitutional posts. Can public servants like Deputy CM be considered government servants, asked the bench.
The petitioner cited Article 12 of the Constitution to contend that the Deputy CM and ministers were part of the State, and hence they should be considered as government servants.
Advocate General PS Raman submitted that Udhayanidhi wearing a T-shirt for his comfort could not be considered as casual attire.
The bench then directed both the parties to explain whether persons holding Constitutional posts have to adhere to any dress code and if T-shirts could be considered as casual wear. The matter was then posted on November 11.