Uniform of Rajya Sabha marshals will be reviewed, says Chairman Venkaiah Naidu

As the winter session of Parliament commenced Monday, marshals donned a new uniform in the Upper House — said to be the first in five decades.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu flanked by marshals. The picture above shows their new uniform. (PTI Photo)

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday said the new uniform of marshals would be reconsidered, a day after it received widespread criticism. As the House began proceedings this morning, Naidu said he had asked the Rajya Sabha secretariat to review the new uniforms, which resemble that of Army officials.

Naidu added that he had received some observations regarding the dark military-style uniform and peaked cap from politicians, among others.

Rajya Sabha Chairman @MVenkaiahNaidu says he has asked the Rajya Sabha secretariat to revisit the new dress code of marshals. Naidu says he has received some observations on the new uniform from some politicians as well as certain well meaning people. @IndianExpress

— Manoj C G (@manojcg4u) November 19, 2019

As the winter session of Parliament commenced Monday, marshals donned a new uniform in the Upper House — said to be the first in five decades. They previously wore traditional outfits — safari suits during the summer months and bandhgalas along with turbans during winter.

Follow live updates on the winter session of Parliament

Sources told The Indian Express the change was made after marshals requested a “modern” look. The designing, sources added, was done in-house.

During the session Monday, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh attempted to raise the issue in Parliament but was stopped by Naidu.

Former Chief of Army Staff General Ved Prakash Malik, meanwhile, told The Indian Express: “This is illegal. Wearing of such uniform by non-military people is a security hazard…”

In the Lok Sabha, however, marshals continued to wear their old uniform.

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