New Delhi: After Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, who is also the Chairman of the Upper House, ordered to revisit the issue of the new Rajya Sabha marshal uniform Tuesday, the marshals were seen wearing the new uniform but without the controversial cap during the session Wednesday. The marshals wore the uniform without the cap Thursday too.
On the first day of 250th session of the Rajya Sabha Monday, the marshals were seen in a new uniform with a navy-blue jacket and heavily adorned cap, which resembled the uniform of armed forces.
The uniform immediately drew flak from many politicians and Indian Army officers, with some of them saying it was “illegal” and a security risk.
The uproar
With the change in the marshals’ uniform, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had asked House chairman Naidu, “Are you imposing Martial Law?”
To this, Naidu replied that such insignificant questions should not be raised during the session.
Later, former Army chief Ved Prakash Malik expressed his concerns over the uniform.
In a tweet, he said, “Copying and wearing of military uniforms by non military personnel is illegal and a security hazard. I hope @VPSecretariat, @RajyaSabha & @rajnathsingh ji will take early action.”
Copying and wearing of military uniforms by non military personnel is illegal and a security hazard. I hope @VPSecretariat, @RajyaSabha & @rajnathsingh ji will take early action. https://t.co/pBAA26vgcS
— Vedmalik (@Vedmalik1) November 18, 2019
Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (retired) also asked on Twitter: “Why do organisations private and government & now the respected Rajya Sabha want similarity in attire with armed forces uniforms without any consideration 4 d dignity of soldiers. Is it because the public holds them in the highest esteem? Legal provisions needed to respect uniform (sic).”
After the controversy, Naidu had ordered the issue to be revisited by the House secretariat.
“…we’ve received some observation by some political as well as well-meaning people. I have decided to ask the Secretariat to revisit the same,” Naidu said Tuesday.
Sources told ThePrint that the uniform for Rajya Sabha marshals was last changed in the 1950s.
Also read: Venkaiah Naidu to revisit order as ‘military’ uniform of Rajya Sabha marshals triggers row
Another example of act first, think later?