CHENNAI: Are ministers governed by a dress code? Is a T-shirt formal dress or casual?
The Madras high court will decide the issue as a public interest writ petition has been filed flagging Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin‘s routine of wearing T-shirts bearing the DMK party’s Rising Sun symbol embroidered on the left chest.
An advocate filed the PIL claiming that wearing such attire while performing the duties of a state minister was in violation of the dress code prescribed for govt servants in Tamil Nadu.
Admitting the plea on Tuesday, a division bench of Justice D Krishnakumar and Justice P B Balaji directed the state to explain whether the dress code applies to a minister of the state and whether a T-shirt is considered formal or casual attire in nature.
Petitioner M Sathya Kumar said the T-shirt worn by Udhayanidhi Stalin carried the symbol of DMK.
“This is despite the fact that public servants are prohibited from displaying symbols of any particular party in govt meetings,” he said in a statement which was released.