The Karnataka government announced on Thursday in the Assembly that GT World Mall in Bengaluru will be shut for seven days following an incident where a farmer was denied entry. Karnataka Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning, Bhyrathi Suresh, made the announcement, stating that the mall violated government laws by refusing entry to the farmer.
He said, "As per the government laws, the GT Mall will be shut for seven days for denying entry to the farmer into the mall."
The issue, raised by the BJP on Wednesday, demanded strict action against the mall to send a clear message. Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, emphasised that the government must act decisively. "The government should initiate action without fail," Ashoka urged, as per a report on IANS.
Minister for Social Welfare, H.C. Mahadevappa, acknowledged the gravity of the incident, stating, "The dignity and self-respect of a person is of paramount importance it can't be compared to anything." He added that the government would take action after receiving a report on the incident.
However, Ashoka insisted on immediate action, rather than waiting for a report. Laxman Savadi, a Congress MLA, supported this view, urging the government to disconnect the mall's electric supply for seven days without delay. "There is no need to wait for a report or form a committee. As per the rule, disconnect the electric connection to the mall for seven days," he demanded, as per the report.
The incident in question occurred on Tuesday evening when septuagenarian farmer Fakirappa from Haveri district, accompanied by his son Nagaraj and wife Mallamma, was denied entry to GT World Mall on Magadi Road. The mall's security cited Fakirappa's traditional attire—a dhoti—as the reason for denial. The incident sparked outrage after a video went viral on social media, leading to widespread condemnation.
In response, the mall's management issued an apology, and the security guard involved also apologized for the incident.