Is It Against Protocol To Shake Hands With The President Or Touch Her Feet?
Actor Saurabh Shukla recalled shaking hands with President Mukherjee while receiving the National Film Award for 'Jolly LLB.' This breach of protocol did not result in any punitive action
The National Film Award, also known as the Rashtriya Film Puraskar in Hindi, is presented annually in India to honour outstanding contributions in the field of cinema. This prestigious tradition began in 1954, with the announcement of the winners typically occurring in July-August and the awards ceremony taking place at the end of the year. The President of India presents the awards to the winners at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
A video of actor Saurabh Shukla has recently gone viral on social media, where he recounts his experience of breaching protocol while receiving the National Film Award for his role in ‘Jolly LLB.’
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Shukla describes the procedure recipients must follow, including arriving in Delhi a day before the ceremony for a rehearsal without the President. On the day of the award, recipients are instructed to maintain protocol by greeting the President without shaking hands or touching.
“This was the most beautiful award of my life. There is a beautiful story behind it. I was called to Delhi a day before for rehearsal. On the award day, after the announcement, you receive the award from the President with a simple greeting. However, when the then-President Pranab Mukherjee handed me the award and said he watched my film twice, I impulsively asked for a handshake, which he kindly obliged," Shukla shared.
This incident brings to mind another protocol breach from January 2023 involving Amba Seoul, a junior engineer from the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) in Rajasthan. During the inauguration ceremony of the Scout Guide Jamboree in Rohat, Pali district, Seoul attempted to touch President Droupadi Murmu’s feet, breaking the security cordon.
Security officials promptly intervened, detaining and later releasing her after interrogation. Following the incident, the Home Ministry deemed it a serious security lapse and requested a detailed report from the Rajasthan Police. Subsequently, Seoul was suspended on January 12, 2023, for violating the Rajasthan Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules 1958.
The question arises whether touching or shaking hands with the President violates protocol. The answer is a resounding yes. The President’s security is paramount, and such actions not only breach protocol but also raise security concerns.
In India, the President is the constitutional head, and there is a specific protocol for meeting and greeting, which involves folded hands or a slight bow. Government employees or officers touching the President’s feet are considered improper and indisciplined.
Saurabh Shukla’s breach of protocol during his award reception did not result in any punitive action, unlike the case of Amba Seoul. The importance of adhering to protocol when in the presence of the President remains emphasised, ensuring the respect and security afforded to the nation’s highest office.
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