A ll Fakeerappa wanted was to catch a movie with his son at Bengaluru’s GT World Mall. Even though he had a ticket, he wasn’t allowed to enter the building. The mall management, hungover on colonial sentiments, didn’t like the idea of a man roaming around their premises in a panche or dhoti.
Protests by some Kannada organisations followed, and the old farmer had to face multiple cameras, explaining to the media that while he is illiterate, he understands the value of education. It is embarrassing that the situation came to this. Fakeerappa wasn’t looking for media glare or attention, he travelled all the way from his village to the city for a multiplex experience.
I doubt the mall had explicitly stated rules that don’t allow people in panche to enter the mall. But it is a cocktail of Brahmanism and a colonial hangover that makes upper management decide who can and cannot enter a mall. We should not reserve all our anger toward the security guard who stopped a man wearing a dhoti.
The average city-dwelling Indian is no different than him in their perception of a dhoti-clad man. Scorn for the poor unites the ruling class of this country. Also read: Mumbai colleges becoming Khap panchayats.
How are students’ wardrobes any of your business? Clothes and shoes are the biggest markers people use to judge others. Mobile phones and bags are a close second. Everyone wants to look good, sure, but more importantly, everyone wants to look rich.
They use their clothes and acces.
