'It is highly deplorable': D. Raja on denial of entry to dhoti-wearing judge at club

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja on Monday said it was highly deplorable that a high court judge had been denied entry into a club for wearing a dhoti, the state's traditional attire.

"This is highly deplorable. There are such institutions which still live in a colonial mindset. This has to go. In an independent India, people have right to choose their dress," Raja said.

"Of course in Tamil Nadu, the dhoti is the normal dress of every citizen, whether he is judge or anybody. How can one take objection to people wearing dhotis and entering into some building. It is utter nonsense," he added.

Madras High Court Judge Justice D Hariparanthaman was recently denied entry into the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association Club recently for wearing a 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 Madras High Court, club staff told him that he could not enter the premises wearing a dhoti.