Dress code has no takers!

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, May 5: The recent dress code appeal to the employees of the State has been reacted by all, cutting across party lines.

Opposition leader in the State Assembly Debabrata Saikia said: “There are many things to be done in offices rather than making employees attired in their traditiol dresses. The government should lay more importance on that. Dress code for office is bereft of any reason.”

BJP MLA Atul Bora has written a letter to the Chief Secretary of the State on the issue. Bora said that giving work culture a boost and putting an end to corruption in offices should be ensured first. He wanted to bring home that wearing mekhala-chador is seen among both Hindu and Muslim women and hence it will not be a problem for women officials. The situation, Bora feels, is quite different for male officials. “Muslim males are not seen to attend office clad in dhuti,” he said, and added: “I’ve seen Muslim males wearing dhuti in Bihu dance and other cultural events. In some areas, even Muslim males wear dhuti. The matter came up for discussion in the State Assembly when all AIUDF MLAs came to the House attired in lungi following a directive from party president Badruddin Ajmal.”

     AIUDF general secretary Hafij Basir Ahmed Qashimi said: “Every ethnic community in Assam has its own traditiol dress. They differ in their culture and faith, leading to differences in their traditiol outfits. People belonging to Islamic faith do have their own traditiol dresses. If a dress code acceptable to all is decided by taking all such issues into consideration, nobody will oppose it. The dresses of the officials will have to be acceptable from their religious point of view. If one’s religious faith is hurt by a dress, one has the reason to criticize it.”