Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik has taken exception to a club denying entry to a Shia cleric over dress code here, and asked it to allow entry to people wearing traditional Indian costumes "at the earliest".
"A meeting of office bearers should be held to include tradition Indian costumes in the dress code of the club.
"This should be done at the earliest and I should also be informed about it," Naik said in a letter to the Secretary of the club.
Naik said that the dress code of the Mahomed Bagh (MB) club and its guest was forced on Indians by Britishers and continuing with such a practise after so many years of Independence had no meaning.
The traditional dresses are not even disallowed in Parliament, assemblies and state programmes, he said.
The club, in its reply to the Governor, had earlier said that the dress code was changed from time to time and coloured t-shirts and jeans were allowed.
Prominent Shia cleric and vice president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, was denied entry to the club on September 12 for not following the dress code as he was in traditional attire.
This had prompted Naik to seek an explanation from the club authorities.
The Governor had termed it "objectionable" and "unfortunate" while seeking details about the incident.
"The dress code of MB Club imbibed from British years continues. Kurtas, collarless T-shirts are not permitted," the club website says.
Chairmanship of the club rotates between the Chief of Staff, Central Command and the Chief Secretary, UP government on yearly basis, as per the provisions in the club rules.
In July 2014, a judge was barred from entering Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) for wearing a dhoti. He was one of the guests at a book release function held at the TNCA club premises.
