A Delhi-based restaurant is at the centre of a controversy after a couple alleged they were denied entry for wearing traditional Indian attire. The incident occurred on August 3 at Tubata, located near the Pitampura metro station.
In a now-viral video shared on social media, the woman was seen dressed in a churidaar-kurta set while her partner wore a T-shirt and pants as both claimed they were stopped at the entrance due to their attire.
"This was our dress, but they stopped us. Others in skimpier clothes were allowed in. The manager misbehaved and insulted Indian culture," the couple alleged in the video.
The person recording the video can be heard saying, “Is wearing Indian clothes against our culture? Are their clothes inappropriate? Such restaurants should be shut down immediately if they are against our culture.”
The clip was posted by X user Rosy, who wrote: “See what is happening in Delhi restaurant Tubata in Pitampura. A couple was denied entry just because they were wearing Indian attire!”
While the video triggered widespread criticism from some users who felt the act was discriminatory and disrespectful toward Indian culture, it also triggered a wave of divided opinions on X.
One user wrote: “We need to stop making an issue out of everything and grow up. That’s a private restaurant and they have every right to decide who enters and what they're wearing. It’s not public property.”
Another added, “If this happened abroad, we’d call it racism. Here, it’s just dress code policy. Self-hate is the ugliest fashion trend.”
One of the users said, “Well done, it’s not government property. It’s private. All restaurants have ‘Rights of Admission Reserved.’ Don’t make a scene for fame. Just go somewhere else.”
Some users shared their personal experiences: “I was denied entry to a pub in Bengaluru once because I wasn’t wearing formals. No point fighting it. Just know the dress codes beforehand.”
Others, however, found the situation troubling. “We are aliens within our own country.”
Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra addressed the incident while speaking to news agency PTI, and said: "A video surfaced showing a couple being denied entry to a restaurant near Pitampura Metro Station. According to the video, the entry was denied because the woman was wearing Indian attire. The restaurant reportedly had a policy of not allowing people in Indian attire. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta took cognisance of the video and directed me to inquire into the matter. The District Magistrate and a municipal officer talked to the restaurant owner, who has now confirmed that such a policy will no longer be followed."
Source: India Today