Public Order (Political Uniforms) Ordinance, 1958

The Public Order (Political Uniforms) Ordinance, 1958 was enacted to prevent political movements from organising along paramilitary lines — banning both the wearing of political uniforms in public and the formation of private militia-like groups. Section 3 makes it an offence to march or parade in military order, or wear a uniform signifying association with a political organisation or objective, in any public place or public meeting — though a District Magistrate can permit uniform-wearing on ceremonial or special occasions, with the Provincial Government's prior consent.

Section 4 targets quasi-military organisations more broadly: if members of any association are organised, trained, or equipped either to usurp police or armed forces functions, or to use or display physical force for a political purpose (or in a way that reasonably suggests they are trained or equipped for that purpose), anyone taking part in controlling, managing, or training such members commits an offence — though it is a defence to show the accused neither consented to nor connived at the unlawful organising, training, or equipping. The Ordinance clarifies that reasonable numbers of unarmed, unmarked stewards helping keep order at a private meeting are not caught by this rule.

Section 5 makes offences under the Ordinance cognizable and non-bailable — meaning police can arrest without a warrant and bail is not a matter of right. Section 6 sets the penalty: imprisonment up to two years, or a fine up to one thousand rupees, or both.

This is a public-order and political-activity law dating from the martial-law period of 1958, aimed squarely at preventing paramilitary-style political mobilisation; its continued relevance depends on how it interacts with later constitutional guarantees of assembly and association.