HAIR RAISING

A notice issued by a Pune district court on October 20 asking women advocates not to "arrange" hair in the open court led to a social media uproar. The notice said that women arranging their hair disturbs the court

- Dr Swati Jindal Garg

EVEN though we have all grown up hearing phrases like clothes do not make a man and beauty is but skin deep, the impact a person's etiquette, grooming and outward appearance has on the impression he makes on the rest of the world cannot be overlooked or underestimated. This fact is especially true for courtroom advocates and attendees. Many etiquette mistakes involving mannerisms, tone, style of talking, dressing, presentation and behaviour have invited the wrath of the judges over the years. In fact, such is the power of proper behaviour and mannerism that good manners and proper courtroom etiquette may also go a long way in creating a favourable disposition of the judge in an advocate's case.

In a recent turn of events, a "notice" asking women advocates to not "arrange" their hair in court has led to a social media uproar. The notice was issued by a Pune district court on October 20 and it said that the women arranging their hair disturbs the court. The notice was shared by Senior Advocate Indira Jaisingh on Twitter with the comment: "Wow now look! Who is distracted by women advocates and why!" While most comments on social media called the order "absurd", journalist Ronjana Banerji went as far as saying: "the extent of Patriarchy Is just ridiculous!" Some even feared that if the hair arranging is being banned today, the future is not far where the female advocates will be asked to wear a ghunghat (veil) inside the court in order to prevent the court from being distracted! There were also those who accused the courts and said that the judiciary had no business dictating such rules. Even though the notice was revoked after the backlash, the intent behind the notice needs to be discussed.