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Over a century ago, the British elite did not allow an Indian to travel the first class compartment of a train. This discrimination set off a process that ended the mighty British empire. Similar discrimination is being meted out for low-wage working class people such as delivery agents, domestic servants and small vendors at some apartments in Hyderabad, where they are not allowed to use lifts.

“If you are a delivery agent or maid, take the staircase or pay Rs 500,” read a notice stuck near the lift at a gate community that has several eight-storied apartments at Hitec City. The notice leaves just two options for the discriminated people — either climb up eight floors or use the lift and pay their entire day’s wage as a fine. While the picture of this notice went viral on X (formerly known as Twitter) and has drawn backlash from netizens, this is the hard reality that house helps and delivery agents face every day.



A Rapido delivery agent narrated his ordeal to Deccan Chronicle. “When I visited a gated community at Manikonda to deliver a parcel, the watchman asked me to park my vehicle 200 metres away from the building, citing security reasons. I did that and walked up to the building only to be told that I cannot use the lift.

I was asked to use the stairs though I had to deliver the package on the fourth floor.” “There are times when my friends climbed over eight floors — Sometimes, with heavy parcels. Sometimes, the customers themselves come down to collec.

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