A 70-year-old farmer was turned away from GT Mall on Magadi Main Road in Bengaluru for wearing traditional attire, igniting widespread outrage. The farmer, identified as Fakeerappa, was denied entry on Tuesday evening because he was dressed in a dhoti and white shirt, attire common among rural populations in India.
The incident gained traction after a video circulated on social media, showing the farmer being refused entry while attempting to visit the mall with his son to watch a movie. The footage sparked a strong reaction from the public, including prominent figures such as actress and model Gauahar Khan.
Khan took to Instagram to condemn the incident, labeling it “shameful” and calling for strict action against the mall. “This is absolutely shameful. Strict action must be taken against the mall. This is India and we all must be proud of our culture,” she wrote on her Instagram story on Wednesday.
Local farmer unions and politicians joined the chorus of criticism. Farmer unions denounced the mall’s actions and threatened to protest unless the mall management issued a formal apology. True to their word, a group of farmers and a pro-Kannada organization staged a demonstration outside the mall.
“A farmer had arrived here, wearing a ‘dhoti,’ but the security guard didn’t let him inside. So, we are protesting here,” a protester told news agency ANI.
Political figures also weighed in, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seizing the opportunity to criticize the Congress-led government in Karnataka. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to the social media platform ‘X’ to express his dismay, stating, “Under Karnataka Congress govt patronage, farmers are being abused and insulted for wearing dhoti? Banned entry in a mall! Karnataka CM wears a dhoti! Dhoti is our pride. Should farmers wear tuxedos in a mall? How is Karnataka Congress allowing this?”
Poonawalla continued his tirade, accusing the Congress government of being anti-farmer and citing their policies, such as increased diesel prices, as further evidence of their disregard for farmers’ interests.
The incident has not only highlighted issues of cultural insensitivity but also underscored ongoing political tensions and the plight of farmers in Karnataka. As protests continue, the public awaits the mall’s response and any potential government action.
