Indian Restaurant Denies Entry to Woman in Ethnic Wear, Gets Blasted for ‘Colonial Practice’

A restaurant in the Indian national capital faced criticism for refusing entry to a woman who was wearing a traditional Indian outfit. The incident allegedly happened in ‘IVY – The Island Bar’ in South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area.

 The video, going viral on social media, showed the woman confronting restaurant staff for refusing entry based on the cafe's policy of not permitting people with “ethnic wear”.

“There are no comments by me, ethnic wear is something that we do not allow,” said a member of IVY’s staff after the woman confronted him for allowing “smart casual attire” but not Indian clothing.

The video has triggered angry responses from the people, who shunned the restaurant for “colonial practices and discrimination”.

The restaurant owner Sayrabh Khanijo said, it was a case of "complete miscommunication", and issued a clarification and apology following the incident. "We are a proud Indian brand and we will never have such a policy as long as India is our base. The bar manager is new and he was not able to convey the policy to the guest properly, " he said adding that the staff member believed that "smart casuals" do not include Indian garments.