Kurta-Pyjama Formally Introduced in Navy Messes to Shed Colonial Vestiges

The traditional kurta-pyjama has been formally introduced into naval messes as part of an initiative to discard remnants of the colonial era and embrace a more Indianized approach to military traditions. Following government directives, the Navy has instructed all commands and establishments to permit officers and sailors to wear ethnic attire, consisting of kurta-pyjamas, sleeveless jackets, and closed formal shoes or sandals, in officers’ messes and sailors’ institutes.

However, specific guidelines dictate the acceptable colour, cut, and style of the kurta-pyjama, allowing it only when the prescribed rig is informal (open collar) or casual in the messes. The kurta should be of a solid tone, reaching just up to the knee, with cuffs featuring buttons or cuff links. The matching or contrast tone narrow pyjama should be in line with trousers, featuring an elastic waistband and side pockets. A matching pocket square can be used in the sleeveless and straight-cut waistcoat or jacket. Similar instructions apply to women officers opting for "kurta-churidar" or "kurta-palazzo." Notably, this new dress code does not extend to warships or submarines.

In a departure from past practice where kurta-pyjamas were strictly prohibited in Army, IAF, and Navy messes, the Navy has taken the lead in eliminating colonial practices and symbols, aligning with Prime Minister Modi's call for "freedom from slavery mentality" since 2022. However, the Navy's repeated use of this phrase has faced criticism from some veterans who find it unnecessary and in poor taste, as it appears to cast aspersions on the post-Independence generations of patriotic Indian Navy personnel.

The Navy is also actively engaged in "Indianising" the names of ranks for sailors, with senior officers already adopting epaulettes that highlight the heritage and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Additionally, the practice of officers carrying batons, considered a symbol of authority from the colonial era, has been discontinued. The Navy has further introduced a new President’s Standard and Colour, along with a Crest following the unveiling of the "swadeshi" Ensign, symbolizing the removal of the red-coloured St George’s Cross from the flag during the commissioning of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in September 2022.