Saree controversy at Aquila restaurant in South Delhi Mall: National Commission for Women summons staff
What is the Saree Controversy in Delhi's Aquila Restaurant
In a viral video a woman was denied entry at Aquila restaurant in South Delhi’s Ansal Plaza as she was in a saree.
When the women asked the staff where it
is written that women in sarees are anot allowed in restaurant, the staff
member at Aquila replied that only smart casuals are allowed
“Reportedly,
the restaurant’s dress code policy for guests allows only smart casuals and
according to the eatery, saree does not fall under smart casuals,”
The NCW in a statement said that “The
Commission condemns the arbitrary and bizarre behaviour of restaurant staff and
its policies.”
The woman had posted a video on social media of the September 19 incident, saying: “Saree is not allowed in Aquila restaurant as Indian saree is now not a smart outfit. What is the concrete definition of a smart outfit? Plz tell me.” In the video, a staff member can be heard saying, “We only allow smart casuals and saree does not come under smart casuals”.
Aquila Restaurant has also issued a statement after the incident “At Aquila, we believe in honouring our Indian community and have always welcomed our guests in all dress codes from modern to traditional.” They also claimed the woman slapped their staff member. “To tackle the situation and request the guest to leave, one of our gate managers made a statement on sarees not being a part of our smart casual dress code; our whole team apologises for the same,” the statement said
Anita Choudhary, the woman who
was allegedly denied entry in a saree and her daughter have dismissed the
restaurant's claim that she slapped one of the staff members.. She said that
the staff was rude to them.
Anita Choudhary's daughter
Aryamini said that they had booked a table at Aquila restaurant at Ansal Plaza
in Delhi, however, they were not allowed entry as they were late. "After
using her first excuse of not letting us in due to our failure to reach on
time, I told her I don't mind waiting."
The staff member then asked them
to wait and came back after 10-15 mintues to tell Aryamini that she could not
allow them inside "because my mom is wearing a saree", she said.
Aryamini claimed that another
employee then came to apologise and requested them to dine there. She also
alleged that a staff member talked rudely to her father also.
She went on to dismiss the
restaurant's claim that her mother slapped the restaurant's manager. "Yes,
my mother pushed him. I will never deny that or even defend that," she
wrote.
Aryamini further alleged that the
restaurant also told them "that they don't allow people below 25
years."
Anita has also posted a
screenshot of the booking apparently confirmed by the restaurant.
On Thursday, ABVP members
protested inside the Plaza and asked the management to issue an apology.
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