The dhoti debate: Colonial era club rules

Hyderabad: Chennai’s Justice Hariparanthaman is an angry man. On July 11, he arrived at the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association Club for a book launch. But minutes after his arrival, the club took offence at his choice of evening wear a dhoti and asked him to go back, with a ‘please’ of course.

However, Justice Hariparanthaman returned home and soon, kicked up a serious debate that has now grabbed headlines all over should dhotis be allowed in clubs that insist on a dress code? And what about Hyderabad and its famous Secunderabad Club, a place where women still can’t vote and where the rules are stiffer than the upper lip itself.
Club members, however, are proud of the rules. Senior member of club committee, Jivitesh Reddy is vocal about his stand.

“The debate around what happened to the judge has been a topic of discussion here. But will the judge allow someone dressed in t-shirt and jeans in his court? The bailiff will even ask you to button up even if a single button is off. And we have been addressing judges here with ‘your honour’ for a while now. Isn’t that some Colonial hangover?,” Reddy asks.

“Our members are comfortable with the rules. So, unless there arises a need to change them, we’re going to stick to what we have. It’s right and recommended we adhere to rules and regulations prescribed by a venue or people religious places our offices, and our homes have them. It’s not about ignoring Indian culture. I think culture is also about respecting rules, emotions and someone’s space. We are sticking with what we have and if we’re asked to change, we will look into that too,” adds Jivitesh Reddy.

A former president of the Secunderabad Club, Keerthi Narasimhachar, says, the club rules are old and may “never change”.

“A very senior politician had once turned up at the club and the dress code applied to him, too, despite his stature and social position. Our code, including the rules set down for attire, are sacrosanct and they will never break or bend, for anybody.”