The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued a new directive to prohibit discriminatory practices in all commercial complexes and shops within its jurisdiction. This order, issued on Friday, follows a recent controversy involving Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who announced upcoming guidelines on traditional attire after an elderly farmer was allegedly denied entry to a Bengaluru mall for wearing a dhoti.
Under the new BBMP directive, all commercial establishments must adhere to guidelines that prevent discrimination based on language, caste, race, religion, dress, and place of birth. The order requires business owners to train their security personnel to ensure that entry is not denied based on attire.
The BBMP has warned that failure to comply with these guidelines could result in the cancellation of business licenses and the potential closure of establishments. Future incidents of discrimination will lead to legal action against the commercial entities, in line with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The move comes after a video of Fakirappa, a farmer, being refused entry to a mall for wearing a dhoti went viral. The incident triggered protests from pro-Kannada and pro-farmer groups, and the matter was discussed in the Assembly. The BBMP also sealed the mall on Magadi Main Road for owing Rs 1.78 crore in property tax. Mall owner Prashanth Anand has since apologized and pledged to prevent such incidents in the future.