Outrage erupted in Bengaluru after a local mall, GT World Mall on Magadi Road, denied entry to an elderly farmer, Fakeerappa, solely because of his traditional attire – a dhoti. The incident, captured on video, sparked protests by farmer unions and widespread condemnation online. The Karnataka government responded swiftly, announcing a seven-day closure of GT World mall as punishment for this discriminatory practise.
7 Day Closure Of GT World Mall
Bengaluru’s GT World Mall to be shut for 7 days for denying entry to dhoti-clad man: Minister https://t.co/fsGRQMJnMF#bengalurudaily pic.twitter.com/0xNK1wzYoa
— Sivakumar V (@veeyeskay) July 18, 2024
The video, which went viral on social media, showed Fakeerappa, a 70-year-old man visiting his son Nagaraj in the city, being stopped at the mall entrance. Despite holding a valid movie ticket, security personnel cited a supposed “no dhoti” rule and barred him from entering. This blatant disregard for cultural attire ignited public fury.
Nagaraj, outraged by the incident, took to social media to share the video and demand action from the authorities. Local farmer unions rallied behind Fakeerappa, staging protests outside the mall and calling for an apology from the management. The public outcry resonated within the Karnataka government.
Government Addresses Issue
Elderly farmer denied entry to GT world shopping mall in #Bengaluru cuz he was wearing a Dhoti 🤷🏻♂️ Fakeerappa, a farmer in his 70’s was hoping to watch a movie with his family, had booked his ticket prior, but was stopped at the gates of @gtworldmall Magadi rd cuz of his attire! pic.twitter.com/VxpuCcyYzu
— Preetham daivik (@Preetham80621) July 17, 2024
In the ongoing assembly session, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh addressed the issue and condemned the mall’s actions. He mentioned that according to the law, the government had the authority to shut the mall for seven days. He also stated that he had spoken to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials, and as a consequence of the incident, the mall would be closed for seven days.
The GT World Mall fiasco extends beyond a single incident. It highlights a disturbing trend of establishments imposing arbitrary dress codes that relegate and disrespect traditional Indian attire. The Karnataka government’s firm response sends a clear message that such discriminatory practises will not be tolerated. The seven-day closure serves as a deterrent, urging malls and other public spaces to be more inclusive and celebrate India’s cultural diversity. This incident has also garnered national attention
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The public outrage and decisive government action serve as a reminder that India’s cultural heritage and traditions deserve respect. The closure of GT World Mall stands as a stark warning to businesses that prioritise elitist dress codes over inclusivity.
Cover Image Courtesy: @gtworldmall/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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