Farmer in dhoti denied entry into mall in Bengaluru

The alleged incident occurred at G. T. Mall on Magadi Main Road in Bengaluru around 6 p.m. on July 16, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Sudhakara Jain

Fakeerappa, a septuagenarian farmer, had gone to a mall in Bengaluru with his son to watch a movie at a multiplex. However, he was denied entry owing his attire — a panche (also called a dhoti) and a white shirt.

The alleged incident occurred at G. T. Mall on Magadi Main Road around 6 p.m. on July 16.

On July 16, Fakeerappa’s son Nagaraj recorded the conversation with the security supervisor at the entrance of the mall. The security supervisor can be heard saying that the rules of the mall do not allow entry to people wearing a dhoti, and that he would allow the farmer if he wore pants.

Speaking to mediapersons later, Mr. Nagaraj said that, as a son, he wished for his father to watch a film in a multiplex. Mr. Fakeerappa said, “How can people from the village let go of our panche (dhoti) and come dressed in pants to watch a film?”  

Mall management apologises

Farmer Fakeerappa, who was denied entry to G.T. Mall for wearing a panche (dhoti), was felicitated after a protest by activists in front of the mall in Bengaluru, on July 17, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Activists from Kannada organisations staged a protest in front of the mall on Wednesday (July 17) morning, with many wearing a panche (dhoti) and entering the mall as an act of dissent. The farmer, Fakeerappa, was also brought to the mall, where representatives of the mall’s management apologised to him publicly and facilitated him. Earlier in the day, the security supervisor who did not allow Fakeerappa on July 16, also apologised for his actions.

Speaking to a mediaperson on July 17, Mr. Fakeerappa said that he is illiterate and a farmer who knew the value of education. “I have got all five of my children educated. They are well-placed now. But I cannot give up my culture, dressing style and start wearing pants just to go to a mall. It is sad that people feel inferior about our own dressing style and culture in our own State,” he said. 

Police were posted at G.T. World Mall on Magadi Main Road in Bengaluru on July 17 after farmers demanded an apology from the management for denying entry to a farmer wearing a panche (dhoti) on July 16, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
Sudhakara Jain

Kuruburu Shanthakumar, State president of Karnataka Federation of Farmer Unions, said this was not the first such incident in Bengaluru or in malls. “The mall management has to immediately apologise and remove such dress codes. The mall management has stopped a farmer for being dressed in a panche (dhoti). Thousands of farmers will barge into the mall. Let them stop us,” he said in a video message posted on July 17. 

In February earlier this year, a farmer wearing a panche (dhoti) was stopped by security guards from boarding a Namma Metro train despite having a valid ticket. BMRCL dismissed the security supervisor who stopped the farmer.