Udhayanidhi Stalin’s dress code controversy reaches Madras High Court

A petition has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a directive for Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin to follow the official dress code prescribed for government servants during public and official appearances.
The petition filed by lawyer M Sathya Kumar, argues that Stalin has violated the formal dress requirements by appearing in casual attire, such as T-shirts and jeans, while attending official events.
The petitioner highlighted that, as per a 2019 government order, government servants are required to dress formally while on duty, wearing traditional attire appropriate to Tamil culture, like veshti (white cloth wrap for the lower body) for men, and sarees or salwar kameez for women.
The mandate specifically discourages casual clothing, stating, “Casual attire shall be avoided”. The complaint alleges that Udhayanidhi’s frequent appearance in T-shirts, often highlighted with the DMK’s youth wing symbol, not only breaches this dress code but also inappropriately displays a political party symbol during official functions, which, according to the petitioner, is a violation of constitutional norms and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Sathya Kumar argued that, as Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi is obligated to uphold the decorum outlined for government employees, claiming his casual dress choices undermine the order’s intent and reflect poorly on his official duties. Additionally, the petition claims that political symbols should not be displayed during government meetings, as this practice compromises the neutrality expected from a public official.
The controversy around Udhayanidhi’s attire gained attention recently when former AIADMK minister D Jayakumar publicly criticised Stalin’s casual dress choices. Jayakumar argued that such attire is inappropriate for someone holding a high constitutional office and reflects a disregard for the office’s dignity.
The Madras High Court took note of the petition and issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government, seeking a response. During the initial hearing, the bench asked the Advocate General to verify whether a formal dress code applies to officials holding constitutional posts, suggesting that interpretations of what constitutes “casual” or “formal” attire can vary. The judges also raised the question of whether collared T-shirts, frequently worn by Udhayanidhi, fall under the category of casual or formal wear.
The case hearing has been adjourned to next week, with further clarifications expected. Meanwhile, the High Court’s involvement has stirred public debate over the expectations and responsibilities of high-ranking government officials in relation to dress codes and impartial representation.