In India, individuals are often unfairly judged based on their clothing, particularly if they are economically disadvantaged. It’s akin to displaying one’s financial status through attire. This bias represents a dark reality, adding to the challenges faced by those already grappling with poverty. Here’s an example of a person being discriminated against on the basis of his clothes in Bengaluru.
At Bengaluru’s Rajajinagar metro station, a poor farmer was denied entry by security personnel because of his attire. The authorities argued that the clothes weren’t clean enough for him to travel on the metro.
Karthik C Airani intervened, questioning the authorities about any existing dress code for metro travelers and advocating for the farmer’s right to use public transport.
“He is a farmer and possesses the required ticket to travel through the metro. He also does not have any items in his sack that are prohibited from bringing into the metro. He only has clothes. On what basis is he being denied entry? Show me a rule which mandates a dress code for commuters of the metro. Is this transport restricted to VIPs? It’s public transport,” Airani said to the officials in Kannada, quoted by Moneycontrol.
Another commuter supported the farmer, asserting that denial of entry should only occur if the passenger carried banned belongings. He labeled the incident as “blatant discrimination.”
A post detailing the incident was shared on X by a user named Deepak, garnering widespread attention.
UNBELIEVABLE..! Is metro only for VIPs? Is there a dress code to use Metro?
I appreciate actions of Karthik C Airani, who fought for the right of a farmer at Rajajinagar metro station. We need more such heroes everywhere. @OfficialBMRCL train your officials properly. #metro pic.twitter.com/7SAZdlgAEH— Deepak N (@DeepakN172) February 24, 2024
Numerous individuals praised Karthik for his intervention, while others criticized metro officials for discriminating against a passenger based on clothing. Here’s a glimpse of the responses:
Hats off to Karthik C Airani.
What kind of rubbish is this @OfficialBMRCL ?
Isn’t metro a public transport?
You need to have a sensitisation program for your employees. https://t.co/EqeGWqVH7G— Lavanya Ballal Jain (@LavanyaBallal) February 26, 2024
This is Bengaluru & its people,Yes we are the same people that protest for Kannada & we are the same people fight when things happen like this
That fight is for to protect our heritage & culture in our own city & this fight is standing against anything wrong in front of our eyes https://t.co/l4onllIdZ1
— AK (@AK__2207) February 25, 2024
This is the state of the farmers. People keep forgetting that it’s because of them we have food on our plates. #farmers https://t.co/Jst25SxeqA
— onemaverick (@maverickone01) February 26, 2024
Bharat is blessed with a billion of such good people.
Pranam to the men who stood up for the poor old man and ensured he got on the metro. https://t.co/7Ld6wbzJoE— K.A.T.A.K.I.Y.A (@AveePDas) February 26, 2024
UNBELIEVABLE..! Is metro only for VIPs? Is there a dress code to use Metro?
I appreciate actions of Karthik C Airani, who fought for the right of a farmer at Rajajinagar metro station. We need more such heroes everywhere. @OfficialBMRCL train your officials properly. #metro pic.twitter.com/7SAZdlgAEH— Deepak N (@DeepakN172) February 24, 2024
Namma Metro is an inclusive public transport. The Rajajinagar incident is probed & the services of the security supervisor is terminated. BMRCL regrets the inconvenience caused to the Passenger.@srivasrbmrccoi1
— ನಮ್ಮ ಮೆಟ್ರೋ (@OfficialBMRCL) February 26, 2024
