Taking strong exception to the Mahomed Bagh Club denying entry to Shia cleric Maula Kalbe Sadiq over dress code recently,  Governor Ram Naik asked the Club management to allow people wearing traditional Indian costumes.

Naik wrote to the MB Clubb secretary maintaining : “A meeting of office bearers should be held to include tradition Indian costumes in the dress code of the club. This should be done at the earliest and I should also be informed about it.” 

Naik said that the dress code of the Mahomed Bagh (MB) Club and its guest was thrust upon on Indians by the ruling British and continuing with such a practise after so many years of Independence was meaningless. “Traditional dresses are not even disallowed in Parliament, Assemblies and state programmes,” the Governor pointed out. The Club management, in its reply to the Governor, had earlier said that the dress code was changed over period of time and even coloured T-shirts and jeans have been allowed. Prominent Shia cleric and vice president of All India Muslim Personal law Board, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq was denied entry to the club on September 12 for not following the dress code as he was in traditional attire. The incident had sparked off controversy which prompted Naik to seek an explanation from the Club authorities. The Governor had termed it “objectionable” and “unfortunate” while seeking details about the incident. “The dress code of MB Club imbibed from British years continues. Kurtas, collarless T-shirts are not permitted,” the club website says. Chairmanship of the club rotates between the Chief of Staff, Central Command and the Chief Secretary, UP government on a yearly basis, as per provisions in the Club rules