Elderly Man Denied Entry By Bengaluru Mall For Wearing 'Panche', Allowed In After Protests

After a video of the incident went viral on social media, it stirred outrage among Kannada organisations and farmers' groups who have been demanding action against the mall for discriminatory policy.

After the backlash, security guard issued an apology to the elderly man.

Source : Special arrangement

A Bengaluru mall sparked controversy and protests by denying entry to an elderly man for wearing a 'Panche', a traditional dhoti-like outfit. Later, public outcry and viral video footage led the mall to reverse its decision and allow the man to enter it.

On Tuesday evening, around 6 o'clock, the elderly man arrived at the mall with his family to watch a movie. However, he was stopped by a security guard who insisted that he cannot enter wearing the dhoti and needed to wear pants instead. A bystander recorded the incident prompting the security guard to eventually allow the man to enter.

On Wednesday, the incident stirred outrage among Kannada organizations and farmers' groups who demanded action against the mall for its discriminatory policy. The situation escalated further and the security guard involved issued an apology.

#WATCH | Karnataka: A group of farmers, along with pro-Kannada organisation, protests in front of GT World Mall in Bengaluru, alleging denial of entry to a farmer who was wearing 'dhoti'. pic.twitter.com/dhf6LPOou4

— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2024

Security Guard Issues Apology

In his apology, security guard Arun explained that earlier that day, another person wearing a dhoti had been ejected from the mall during a birthday party where some women had objected to his attire. When the elderly man arrived later in the dhoti, Arun hesitated due to the earlier incident but eventually relented after a heated argument.

In February 2024, a video went viral showing Bengaluru Metro's security personnel allegedly refusing entry to an elderly passenger due to his ‘soiled clothes’ leading to widespread outrage on social media. The elderly man, wearing a white shirt and carrying a bundle of clothes on his head, was halted at the security checkpoint at Rajajinagar metro station, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Following the incident, Bengaluru Metro (Namma Metro) announced the dismissal of the security