In a partial rollback of the military-like uniforms, Marshals in the Rajya Sabha were seen without their cap on Thursday. On the first day of the Winter Session on Monday, their new attire had invited criticism from some ex-Army officers and Opposition leaders.
On Thursday, as soon as the House assembled to take up the Zero Hour, some members from Opposition benches pointed out to the change in the marshals’ uniform. To this Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu remarked, “As I have said, nothing reflects like Army...(the review) process is on.”
Following criticism, Naidu had on Tuesday ordered review of the new military-style uniform of marshals in the House.
“I have decided to ask the Secretariat to revisit the same,” the Rajya Sabha Chairman had said on Tuesday.
Their new uniform had sparked off criticism, including from former Army chief General Ved Prakash Malik, who had described the attire illegal and a security hazard.
Uniforms of Rajya Sabha marshals were restyled with navy blue, with shoulder insignias, gold buttons and gold aiguillette — ornamental braided cord worn on army or academic uniforms. The peaked cap was like those worn by Army officers of the rank of Brigadier and above. Earlier, the marshals wore white bandhgalas with a safa.
The issue was first raised in the Parliament on Monday by Congress MP Jairam Ramesh who asked Naidu if he was imposing the Martial Law. Naidu, who was in the Chair had, however, dismissed the objection and said, “Don’t raise insignificant queries at such a significant hour.”
Customarily, the presiding officer of the House is flanked by two marshals who march ahead of the chairman to announce the commencement of proceedings and also assist the chair in organising the desk and bringing up order papers.