New Delhi:
Holding that inauguration of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) by Prince Charles would amount to "violation of Indian Constitution", General Association of National Sports Federations chief Vijay Kumar Malhotra on Thursday asked the government to ensure that President Pratibha Patil does the honour on Sunday.
In a letter to Prime Minister Manamohan Singh, Malhotra said President Patil should declare the Commonwealth Games open as she "has the supreme position in the protocol to be observed in any function in India".
He said President Patil should open the Games first and then Prince Charles can read out the Queen's message.
"If Prince Charles is allowed to read the message which ends with the line -- I declare the Games open -- before the President it will be the violation of Indian Constitution," he said.
Malhotra said he wrote the letter after raising the issue in the Executive Board of the CWG Organising Committee and "I was told that Government is looking into matter".
"According to the Constitution of India, President of India has the supreme position in protocol to be observed in any function in India. I have come to know that in the opening ceremony of Commonwealth Games in J N Stadium, Prince Charles after reading the Queens Message will declare the Games open. After that the President of India will address & conclude by saying that 'let the Games begin'," he said.
"If this procedure is followed then Prince Charles will have the precedent in protocol over the President of India. I will urge upon you to ensure that first President of India should declare the games open & then Prince Charles should read the Queens message. Otherwise it will be the violation of Constitution of India," added Malhotra, who is also vice-president Indian Olympic Association.