Backlash Over Bengaluru Mall Denies Entry To Elderly Farmer Wearing Dhoti

In a concerning incident, an elderly farmer from Haveri was allegedly denied entry into a mall in Bengaluru for wearing a traditional dhoti. The incident sparked outrage, with Kannada organizations staging protests against the mall management.

According to reports, a farmer family had visited the mall on Tuesday to watch a movie. However, when farmer Nagarajappa attempted to enter the premises, he was stopped by the security guard due to his attire. Nagarajappa’s son recorded a video of the incident and protested against the guard’s actions.

The video quickly went viral, drawing the attention of various Kannada organizations, who condemned the mall’s decision to deny entry to the elderly farmer. The protesters argued that farmers are the backbone of the country and should be treated with respect, regardless of their traditional attire.

In response, the mall management claimed that the farmer was eventually allowed to enter after a brief delay. The security guard reportedly cited a previous incident earlier that day, where another person wearing a lungi had caused a disturbance on the mall’s premises. The guard stated that he had stopped Nagarajappa as a precautionary measure, but the management later granted him permission to enter.

The mall’s explanation, however, failed to appease the protesters, who continued to demand an apology and assurances that such incidents would not be repeated in the future. The Kannada organizations argued that the incident was a blatant disregard for the cultural heritage and traditions of the region.

The dhoti, a traditional unstitched garment worn by men in parts of India, holds significant cultural and religious significance. The denial of entry to an elderly farmer for wearing this attire has been widely condemned as an insensitive and discriminatory act.

This incident highlights the need for greater awareness and sensitivity towards traditional attire and the importance of respecting cultural diversity. As the protests continue, the mall management will likely face increased pressure to address the concerns raised by the Kannada organizations and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.