Naidu orders review of new military-style uniform of marshals

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said that he had asked the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to review the new militarystyle uniforms of marshals after concerns were raised from several quarters including exArmy officers and parliamentarians

Updated At : 06:41 PM Nov 19, 2019 IST

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu flanked by Upper-House marshals in their new dress during the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019; and (bottom) the martials in their old dress in 2018. PTI photo

Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 19

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said that he had asked the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to review the new military-style uniforms of marshals, after concerns were raised from several quarters including ex-Army officers and parliamentarians.

Uniforms of Rajya Sabha marshals were restyled from traditional Indian attire comprising turbans to dark navy blue and olive green military-style outfits with caps.

Dwelling on the issue of the changed dress code—which came into effect on Monday, on the opening day of the Winter Session—Naidu said they were changed on the recommendation of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

“In view of the matter brought to my notice by some members, and some well-meaning persons, I have asked the Secretariat to review it,” Naidu said.

The new dress code of the marshals, who are conspicuous in the House, had reportedly evinced mixed feelings in the polity.

Their echoing, baritone call to Members, heralding arrival of the Chairman in the House, adds stridency which does not sit well with the loaded liberal values enshrined in the Constitution.

According to a source, “the dress code is aesthetically jarring and does not sit well with the sweet and soft image of a welfare, democratic state, such as India.”