Recently, Delhi restaurant Aquila was in the air of criticism after a woman complained that she was denied entry into the restaurant simply because she was wearing a saree. In a viral video, the restaurant staff was seen stating, “Ma’am we allow only smart casuals and saree does not come under smart casuals.” The incident took place on September 19, Sunday. While the video had already irked the netizens, the restaurant had denied refusing entry to the woman. In an Instagram post, the restaurant stated that the guest was asked to wait politely but she had started abusing the staff. In the statement, the restaurant had also apologised for the statement on the saree made by the gate manager. Soon after, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation(SDMC) claimed that the restaurant was operating without a health trade license under unhygienic conditions. On September 27, the restaurant in Ansal Plaza shut down following a closure notice by SDMC.
Delhi Restaurant Aquila Shuts Down For Running Without Health License
The initial inspection was done on September 21, where the restaurant was found to operate without a health license. Additionally, Aquila was also found be to encroaching on public land. The public health inspector again inspected the restaurant on September 24. According to an Indian Express report, the notice by the SDMC public health department to the restaurant reads, “The public health inspector again inspected the site on September 24 and found that the trade is running under the same condition. You are directed to close the trade within 48 hours of the receipt of this notice failing which suitable action including sealing will be taken without assigning further notice.”
Aquila Had Denied Entry To Woman Wearing Saree Stating That It Is Not A ‘Smart Casual’
Anita Choudhury had shared the video on social media and wrote, “Saree is not allowed in Aquila restaurant as Indian Saree is now not a smart outfit. What is the concrete definition of Smart outfit plz tell me. Please define smart outfit so I will stop wearing saree.” Replying to her post, one user wrote, “Seriously. Such eating places have no right to even exist in Independent India. I am sure the license needs to be cancelled for such Restaurants/clubs that are against ethnic wear.” Another stated, “Who decides sari is not ‘smart wear’? I have worn sarees at the best restaurants in the US, UAE as well in UK. No one stopped me. And some Aquila Restaurant dictates a dress code in India and decides saree is not ‘smart enough’? Bizarre.”
Saree is not allowed in Aquila restaurant as Indian Saree is now not an smart outfit.What is the concrete definition of Smart outfit plz tell me @AmitShah @HardeepSPuri @CPDelhi @NCWIndia
Please define smart outfit so I will stop wearing saree @PMishra_Journo #lovesaree pic.twitter.com/c9nsXNJOAO— Anita Choudaary (@choudaary_anita) September 20, 2021
Also Read: NRI Couple Go Skiing In The US Wearing Saree & Dhoti; Go Viral On Social Media
The Restaurant Made A Counter Post Stating That The Lady Had No Reservation; Added That She Was Impolite
Replying to the viral video, the restaurant had made a counter Instagram post stating that the lady was impolite. In the statement, the restaurant had said, “A guest visited the restaurant and was politely requested to wait at the gate as there was no reservation under her name. However, while we discussed internally as to where we could seat them, the guest entered the restaurant and began to fight and abuse our staff. What unfolded after was beyond our imagination, with the guest slapping our manager as you can see in the CCTV video footage attached in our post above.” The statement added, “To tackle the situation and request the guest to leave, one of our gate managers made a statement on sarees not being a part of our smart casual dress code and our whole team apologies for the same.”
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The Lady’s Daughter Said That A Table Was Reserved For The Celebration Of Her Birthday With Her Parents
Anita Choudhury’s daughter made an Instagram post stating that they had made reservations at Aquila for celebrating her birthday. She added that they took the reservation for 5:30-6 PM. She said that they were late by 30 minutes and the restaurant at first denied their entry citing their delay in arrival. She added that after around 15 minutes, a restaurant staff called her separately and said that they cannot allow her mother in saree. Read the entire post below.
https://twitter.com/aryaminii/status/1440691814168596484?s=20
Now, after the charges of the municipal corporation, the restaurant had to cease operations.