Dhoti-clad judge denied club entry in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu unit of Congress on Sunday said it was “regrettable” that a High Court judge was denied entry into a club here for wearing a dhoti — the state’s traditional attire. Madras High Court judge Justice D. Hariparanthaman was denied entry into the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association Club for wearing dhoti.

When he alighted from his official car at the club premises to participate in a book release function organised by T. S. Arunachalam, a former Chief Justice of the High Court, some staff of the club told him that he could not enter the premises wearing a dhoti as they had instructions from office-bearers not to allow anyone on the premises who violated the club’s dress code.

“It is not important who went there wearing a dhoti, but a rule barring the entry into a club for a dhoti-clad person in Tamil Nadu is unacceptable,” TNCC president B.S. Gnanadesikan said in a statement.

It was “regrettable” that the judge was denied entry because he was wearing the traditional attire, he said. The judge has termed the incident as “unfortunate.” Mr Gnanadesikan said if at all there was a dress code, it would not be binding on persons who were not its members.