Jayalalithaa introduces bill to ensure entry of dhoti-clad Tamils into clubs

CHENNAI: In Tamil Nadu, where there’s a veshti (dhoti) there will soon be a way. Making good her promise to enact laws against what she called “sartorial despotism”, chief minister J Jayalalithaa introduced a bill in the assembly that will ensure that veshti-clad Tamils are not denied entry into clubs and other institutions.

The move comes after a Madras HC judge wearing a veshti was denied entry into a city club. The Tamil Nadu Entry into Public Places (Removal of Restriction of Dress) Bill, 2014 proposes penalties to establishments and a jail term to persons responsible for violations.

The bill states that any establishment that restricts the use of traditional clothes stands to lose its licence. Any establishment or person found responsible for violation could attract a penalty of Rs 25,000 or a jail term of one year. The law would apply for any “recreation club, association, trust, company or society”.

The bill mentions that any rule, regulation or by-law of these establishments that are contrary to the points proposed in the legislation would be rendered “null and void” the moment the bill is passed.

N Srinivasan, the president of the TN Cricket Association Club which had denied entry to the judge, could not be reached for his comments on the development. However, Srinivasan had earlier told reporters that as far as modifying the club rules were concerned, TNCA will go with “whatever the chief minister advises”.

A senior representative of one of the prominent clubs of Chennai said, “It is definitely understandable on the part of the state government to emphasise the need for allowing traditional and ethnic wear in clubs.

But there are certain rules which have now become the club’s tradition, like restricting shorts and collar-less T-shirts, these should be allowed to continue.” In response to the tabling of the bill, S P Sivalingam, secretary of the Cosmopolitan Club in Chennai, said, “We have never had any restrictions on dhotis.

But yes we do have a dress code where you have to wear T-shirts and shirts with collar.” But legally, once the bill is passed and the gazette notification is issued, it becomes an Act and it can be challenged in a court of law.