Prabhakar Kumar, Patna: The Bihar government has imposed a dress code for all state bureaucrats. But not everyone is happy.

"I can commit suicide," said Deputy Director, Agriculture Department, Laxman Mishra.

Mishra, who is facing suspension for wearing tilak in office, is angry with the move of the government.

"I wear a tika and the government has warned me against it," said Misra.

Mishra could be the first victim of a new dress code enforced by the state government.

Bureaucrats have been advised to stay away from bright colours, T-shirts and denims. They should stick to sober colours, preferably khadi. For women, the government has prescribed sari with a blouse of 'adequate' length or salwar-kameez.

"If you are not dressed well then action can be taken. It is considered misconduct," said Home Secretary, Government of Bihar, Afzal Amanullah.

There are many unanswered questions though. For instance, does the dress code restrict religious freedom?

"No one should be suspended for wearing a tika as it’s a personal choice," said Minister for Agriculture, Government of Bihar, Narendra Singh.

The Nitish Kumar government's idea of giving a dressing down to shabbily dressed bureaucrats is raising many eyebrows. The new dress code has kicked off a religious debate, something the Chief Minister surely did not bargain for.