Bar denies entry to Indians in shorts: Facebook users

Mumbai: Two Facebook users on Thursday night alleged that a popular Mumbai-based bar has issued a 'no shorts' policy for Indians alone. Writing about their experience at The Bar Stock Exchange (TBSE), Hemant Kale and Parul Menezes alleged that the bar discriminated on the basis of clothes and nationality. However, the bar has denied the claim, and said it does not discriminate.

According to the Facebook posts, Indian nationals were denied entry into the bar because they were wearing shorts, but a foreign national who was wearing shorts entered the bar at the same time, and was not stopped by the security personnel. Mr Kale wrote when he asked the security personnel why the foreign national was allowed inside, he was told, "because he is a foreigner".  

The Facebook post by Mr Menezes reads, “Horrible policy & discrimination against Indians at Bar Stock Exchange — white people are allowed in shorts but Indians are sent back.” Meanwhile, Mr Kale posted saying, “‘Because they are foreigners...!!!’ says the manager at The Bar Stock Exchange BKC in argument (sic) to why they were allowed in shorts and others (Indians in shorts) were sent back last night !!! Really shocking to have witnessed such a discriminating incident in Mumbai...! (sic)”

When The Asian Age contacted the Bandra outlet of TBSE and asked if the bar has a dress code, an employee who identified himself as Prabhu said, “Yes, we do not allow shorts and slippers. Shorts are not allowed anyway, and since our floor is slippery, we do not let anyone enter with flipflops on.” However, Mihir Desai, co-owner of Corum Hospitality, which runs the TBSE, said, “There is no such policy. Of course clothes like boxers will not be allowed, but we do not have a blanket ban on shorts, whether Indians wear them, or foreigners.”