A bench comprising Justices D. Krishna Kumar and P.B. Balaji asked the State to submit its response within a week. Additionally, the court requested Advocate General P.S. Raman to clarify if any Government Orders mandate a specific dress code for politicians and public servants in the State.
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday(29th Oct) issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government, directing it to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking instructions for Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin to follow a “formal dress code” while attending public events and performing his official duties.
A bench comprising Justices D. Krishna Kumar and P.B. Balaji asked the State to submit its response within a week. Additionally, the court requested Advocate General P.S. Raman to clarify if any Government Orders mandate a specific dress code for politicians and public servants in the State.
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The PIL, filed by advocate M. Sathya Kumar, contended that Udhayanidhi’s choice of attire such as T-shirts, jeans, and casual footwear at official events violated a 2019 Government Order prescribing a formal dress code for public servants. The petitioner further argued that many of the T-shirts worn by Udhayanidhi featured symbols associated with the DMK, despite rules prohibiting public servants from displaying political symbols during official meetings.
The mandate explicitly discourages casual clothing, stating, “Casual attire shall be avoided.” The complaint claims that Udhayanidhi Stalin’s frequent appearances in T-shirts, often featuring the DMK youth wing symbol, violate this dress code and improperly showcase a political party emblem during official events. The petitioner argues that such conduct breaches constitutional norms and the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Sathya Kumar contends that, as Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi is expected to uphold the decorum required of government officials. He argues that Udhayanidhi’s choice of casual attire undermines the intent of the mandate and casts a negative impression on his official responsibilities. Furthermore, the petition emphasizes that displaying political symbols during government meetings compromises the neutrality expected from public officials.
The controversy over Udhayanidhi’s dress code escalated after former AIADMK minister D. Jayakumar publicly criticized his choice of casual clothing, asserting that such attire is inappropriate for someone holding a high constitutional position and undermines the dignity of the office.
The Madras High Court has taken cognizance of the matter and issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government, seeking clarification. During the preliminary hearing, the bench asked the Advocate General to confirm whether a formal dress code applies to officials in constitutional positions.
The judges also noted that interpretations of “formal” and “casual” attire can vary, raising the specific question of whether collared T-shirts, often worn by Udhayanidhi, qualify as casual or formal clothing.
The next hearing has been scheduled for the following week, with further clarifications expected. Meanwhile, the case has sparked public debate over the responsibilities and decorum expected of senior government officials regarding dress codes and impartiality in public representation.
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