Dhoti-Wearing Farmer Stopped From Entering, Karnataka Minister Closes Bengaluru Mall For Seven Days As Penalty

The issue of an elderly farmer being denied entry into Bengaluru's GT World Mall was raised in Karnataka Vidhan Soudha (Legislative Assembly) on Thursday (18 July).

Karnataka Minister of Urban Development and Town Planning, Byrathi Suresh, announced the closure of GT Mall for seven days as a penalty.

The elderly farmer, Fakeerappa, had booked a ticket to watch a movie with his family but was denied entry because of his attire — a dhoti, kurta, and pagadi (turban) — traditional Indian clothing without anything controversial.

Minister Suresh discussed the matter with a former BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) Commissioner before announcing the decision. "The government has the provision under the law to shut down the mall for seven days. We will accordingly shut down the mall for seven days," he said in the Assembly.

The move was welcomed by Assembly Speaker UT Khadar, who stated, "Whatever you promised, please do accordingly."

This incident comes amid the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government's recent pro-Kannada and pro-Kannadiga policies, including promising reservations for locals in private-sector jobs.