Delhi Restaurant Accused Of 'Saree Bias' Releases CCTV Visuals Alleging Woman Slapping Staff

In its statement, the restaurant has said that ‘they believe in honouring the Indian community and have always welcomed our guests in all dress codes from modern to traditional.’

Anita (left) & Staff member of Aquila (right)

New Delhi: The Delhi-based restaurant Aquila Delhi, which found itself embroiled in controversy after they refused entry to a customer for wearing a saree, has clarified their position in a social media post. 

In its statement, the restaurant has said that ‘they believe in honoring the Indian community and have always welcomed our guests in all dress codes from modern to traditional.’

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by AQUILA (@aquila.delhi)

The clarification has come after an undated and unverified video widely shared on Twitter, shows a woman asking an employee at the restaurant why a saree is not allowed. The employee replied that "saree does not count as smart casuals", claiming the restaurant only allows patrons in smart casuals.

In their post, the restaurant highlighted their side of the story and said that the ‘10-second’ clip posted online a woman can be heard arguing with restaurant staff over their refusal, was just a small part of a conversation that lasted for 1 hour.

According to the statement, the guest was asked to wait at the gate since the staff could not find a reservation under her name. But while the staff discussed it internally, she entered the restaurant and started arguing and even assaulting the staff.

The statement said, ‘What unfolded after was beyond our imagination, with the guest slapping our manager’

The post also said that ‘to tackle the situation one of their gate managers commented about saree not being the dress code of the restaurant.

‘Our gate manager’s statement in no way is a representation of the entire team’s view on dress code. Nowhere in our company policy does it say that we will refuse entry to anybody in ethnic wear.’

However, while speaking to ABP News, the woman, named Anita has denied slapping any staff member. She narrated her side of the story and said that she along with her husband and daughter had reached Aquila to celebrate their daughter's birthday. Her husband and daughter reach ahead of Anita and when she tried to enter she wasn't allowed.

"One of the staff members took my daughter aside and told her that I can't be allowed in as I wasn't dressed in smart casuals"

She further claimed that the staff members at the very end said that they had an event going on for which she question if that were the case, why weren't they told while they were making the reservations. 

 Watch the video here: