TV
The civic authorities in Bengaluru swung into action against GT World Mall two days after the management denied entry to an elderly farmer inside the mall for wearing a dhoti. On Thursday, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike (BBMP) sealed the mall for a week.
As per reports, Fakeerappa, a septuagenarian farmer, went to the G.T. Mall on Magadi Main Road at around 6 p.m. on July 16, with his son to watch a movie at a multiplex. However, he was allegedly denied entry into the mall for his attire. The elderly man's son Nagarjuna recorded the conversation with the security supervisor at the entrance of the mall.
In the video, the father-son duo are seen appealing to the GT Mall staff to allow them to enter the mall. However, they were denied entry despite having tickets booked for a movie. The security supervisor can be heard saying that the rules of the mall do not allow entry to people wearing a dhoti and that he would allow the farmer if he wore pants.
The video surfaced on the internet and went viral in no time and sparked outrage. People demanded action against the mall.
Later, speaking to media persons, Nagarjuna said as a son, he wished for his father to watch a film in a multiplex.
The 62-year-old farmer said, “How can people from the village let go of our panche (dhoti) and come dressed in pants to watch a film?”
After the video stormed the internet, activists from Kannada organisations staged a protest in front of the mall on Wednesday (July 17) morning. Surprisingly, many of the protesters were seen cladding a dhoti while entering the mall. Even the farmer was also brought to the mall, where representatives of the mall’s management apologised to him publicly and felicitated him. Earlier in the day, the security supervisor who did not allow the farmer to enter the mall, also apologised for his actions.
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While talking to media persons on July 17, Fakeerappa said he was illiterate but knew the value of education. He said, “I have got all five of my children educated. They are well-placed now. But I cannot give up my culture and dressing style and start wearing pants just to go to a mall. Sadly, people feel inferior about our own dressing style and culture in our own State.”
As the incident snowballed, with the matter raised in the Assembly on Thursday, the mall was ordered to close for a week as it has property tax overdue amounting to Rs 3.56 crore. The civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) issued a notice to the mall and directed them to pay the pending dues before July 31. The civic officials also warned that the mall will be closed further if the payment is not made within the deadline.
The BBMP also sought an explanation from mall authorities on denying entry to the elderly farmer.
