TN Assembly introduces Bill to remove dhoti ban

Indian Military Veterans

TN Assembly introduces Bill to remove dhoti ban

Chennai, August 6
A Bill seeking to remove a ban on wearing dhoti and other Indian traditional attire imposed by recreational clubs and others was today introduced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Introduced by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the backdrop of recent controversy triggered by denial of entry to a dhoti-clad Madras High Court Judge into the TNCA Club here, the Bill provides for the cancellation of licence and punishment of one year imprisonment for any violation of the legislation.

The Tamil Nadu Entry into Public Places (Removal of restriction of dress) Act, 2014, was introduced after the House gave its nod by a voice vote. The Bill states that no recreation club, association, trust, company or society shall make any rule, regulation or bye-law imposing restriction on the entry to any person wearing a ‘veshti’ reflecting Indian culture or any other Indian traditional dress into any public place under its control or management. Any violation of the act would lead to the cancellation of the licence, one-year imprisonment and an additional penalty of Rs 25,000.

Jayalalithaa had earlier assured the House that an act to remove the dhoti ban would be brought in the current session itself after Opposition parties raised the issue of the dhoti-clad judge being denied entry into the club on July 11. — PTI

Safeguarding Indian culture

• The Tamil Nadu Entry into Public Places (Removal of restriction of dress) Act, 2014, was introduced after the House gave its nod by a voice vote
• The Bill states that no recreation club, association, trust, company or society shall make any rule, regulation or bye-law imposing restriction on the entry to any person wearing a 'veshti' (dhoti)
• Any violation of the Act would lead to the cancellation of the licence, one-year imprisonment and an additional penalty of Rs 25,000