An undated video has been creating a storm on social media, where a man from Kashmir is seen being denied a room in The Pleasant Inn hotel booked via OYO. In the viral video the Kashmiri man named Syed, enquires why he isn’t allowed to check-in despite showing his Aadhar card, passport and identity card. The female employee reveals that she has been given orders by her manager to not give rooms to anyone with IDs from Kashmir. Further, Syed speaks to the manager of the hotel who tells him that they are just following police orders. The video doing the rounds have led to netizens on social media protesting that the incident has taken place in light of the filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files film. In their point of view, the film has created communal disharmony in society. Read on to get an in-depth view of this incident.
Delhi Police Clarify To Not Giving Such Instructions
The video has been shared by the National Spokesperson of the Jammu & Kashmir Students Union, Nasir Khuehami. While the man being denied the room at The Pleasant Inn hotel, an OYO flagship, isn’t visible. The female employee working in the hotel reception is seen in the video. The manager in the video stated that the police have instructed them to not give rooms to anyone with a Kashmir ID. However, the Delhi Police took to Twitter to clarify that no such instruction has been given by them.
A purported video is viral on social media wherein a person is being denied hotel reservation due to his J&K ID. The reason for cancellation is being given as direction from police.
It is clarified that no such direction has been given by Delhi Police.(1/3)@ANI @PTI_News— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) March 23, 2022
Also Read: CT Cares Ep 3: OYO States Travel Business Will Revive By December 2020
OYO Removes The Hotel From Its Platform Immediately
Hotel aggregator OYO took to Twitter to also clarify their side of the story. OYO stated that it has taken The Pleasant Inn hotel out of its platform immediately. And further clarified that their rooms and hearts are open for everyone always. And this is something OYO shall never compromise on. Further, the hotel aggregator promise to check into the matter to find out why the hotel denied check-in to the guest from Kashmir.
— OYO4U (@OYO4U) March 23, 2022
Also Read: Kashmir Files Controversy: Can It Be Safe To Travel To Kashmir Right Now?
“Don’t Blame Kashmir Files, Similar Incidents Have Happened Before”
Meanwhile, many netizens after watching the viral video stated that it’s inaccurate to blame The Kashmir Files for creating alleged communal differences. They stated that such incidents of being denied hotel rooms to people with Kashmir IDs have been happening for a long time, for various reasons. In 2019, a hotel manager from OYO in Delhi’s Jasola Vihar denied accommodation to a Kashmiri man. He was warned for his behaviour of discriminating against people. In yet another similar incident a Delhi University student alleged that even he was denied a room that he booked for his family despite showing an Indian ID.
Yes everything is on Vivek. Now check the dates of incidents. This is controversial since many yrs. Some cases may be consequences of security measures. But whatsoever may the reason, let's drive our agenda against The Kashmir Files & incite people. pic.twitter.com/WMPZeEDjsx
— The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) March 23, 2022