New Delhi, November 19: To mark the historic 250th session of Rajya Sabha, the uniforms of Marshals who stand next to the Chair in the Upper House have been changed. On Monday, the marshals were seen wearing a navy blue-coloured uniform with a peak cap instead of the traditional attire of Bandhgala and with a safa (turban) on the head. Several retired Army personnel including former Indian Army chief who led the Kargil War, General Ved Prakash Malik, raised an objection to the new uniform, which had military-like stripes and insignia on shoulders.
General Malik termed the move to replace tradition attire of marshals with army-like uniform as “illegal and a security hazard”. The former Army Chief requested the government to take early action. He tweeted, “Copying and wearing of military uniforms by non military personnel is illegal and a security hazard. I hope @VPSecretariat, @RajyaSabha & @rajnathsingh ji will take early action.” He tagged vice-president Venkaiah Naidu and Rajnath Singh in his tweet. Another retired Indian Army chief Gen V K Singh, also criticised the move. Winter Session of Parliament Day 2: Government to Table Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill & Surrogacy Bill in Rajya Sabha.
Gen Mailk's Tweet:
Copying and wearing of military uniforms by non military personnel is illegal and a security hazard. I hope @VPSecretariat, @RajyaSabha & @rajnathsingh ji will take early action. https://t.co/pBAA26vgcS
— Vedmalik (@Vedmalik1) November 18, 2019
Here are some of the Tweets by other retired Army personnel:
Lt Gen (R) HS Panag:
Who minds ‘brass hats’ at beck and call in Rajya Sabha, when the real ‘brass hats’ have set the pace!
Former Indian Army chief Ved Malik objects to new uniform of Rajya Sabha marshals, calls it 'illegal and security hazard' - Firstpost https://t.co/Npa4vFhLwP
— Lt Gen H S Panag(R) (@rwac48) November 19, 2019
Lt Gen (R) Vinod Bhatia:
Hope the government takes corrective action and abides by the legal provisions and orders on the subject. Unfortunately it has become fashionable to dress like the armed forces
— Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (@Ptr6Vb) November 18, 2019
Col (R) Rohit Dev:
This Uniform for Marshals in this misuse is illegal & inappropriate Shri @narendramodi@MVenkaiahNaidu@rsprasad Ji
Kindly change it forthwith@rashtrapatibhvn kindly issue directions to end such Fancy Dress@rajeev_mp@RKSinhaBJP Please act
Best wishes & regards
JAI HIND 🇮🇳pic.twitter.com/MJx2fLfqXQ
— Colonel Rohit Dev (Retd)🇮🇳 (@RDXThinksThat) November 18, 2019
Col (R) Sanjay Pande's Tweet:
QUIZ. One peak cap is worn by Chief of Army Staff and one by Rajya Sabha Staff. Identify. pic.twitter.com/C4OQxd7nt6
— @ColSanjayPande (@ColSanjayPande) November 18, 2019
On Monday, Marshals of the Rajya Sabha wore dark blue uniforms with gold buttons and gold aiguillette - ornamental braided cord worn on uniforms of defence personnel. The peak caps also resembles closely that worn by Army officers of the rank of Colonel and above. In the 250th session of the Rajya Sabha, there will be 20 sittings, and the session will conclude on December 13.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 19, 2019 11:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).