Mall Denies Man in Dhoti Entry, Lets Up When He ‘Speaks English’

The mall authorities have denied the charges.

Avikunthak at the Quest Mall in Kolkata.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/आशीष अविकुन्तक)

Film maker Ashish Avikunthak on Saturday claimed that he was denied entry into a Kolkata mall for wearing a dhoti, which was denied by the mall authorities.

The Facebook post by the director, which triggered outrage in the social media, said:

Denying entry into the neo-colonial clubs of Kolkata is nothing new. But today I was denied entry into the .... mall because I was wearing dhoti (which I have been wearing for the last 26 years). On resisting and questioning I was told that we have orders because of security reasons to prohibit entry of people in lungi and dhoti. I was eventually allowed in because I could argue in English and assert myself.

Avikunthak at the Quest Mall in Kolkata.(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/आशीष अविकुन्तक)

Avikunthak’s companion Debaleena Sen told PTI, "We were about to enter the mall when Ashish was stopped by security guards who said he can't be allowed inside since he was wearing a dhoti. As we argued and Ashish spoke in English the mall officials came and allowed him in.”

Debleena claimed she was video recording the whole incident on her mobile, which the mall employees asked her not to. "This shows they want to hide their racist attitude."

The mall authorities denied the charges. They said the security personnel at the gate, who form the first ring of security at the mall, had asked the film director to wait and went to the supervisor to seek his opinion. He was then allowed in.

"The total waiting period for the person was 20 seconds and after that he entered the mall. We have video footage of his entry into the mall," the mall authorities said.

The issue caused outrage on social media which had a large number of posts against the alleged act of the mall's management.

Read Avikunthak’s full post below.

(With inputs from PTI.)