Group denied entry into bar for wearing slippers, shorts

A group of people was denied entry into a city-based bar as some of them were wearing slippers and shorts, according to a complaint filed by them at a police station here.

In the complaint, the group sought action against the bar management saying that such rules and regulations were ”unconstitutional and infringement of the fundamental rights of a person”.

However, Agent Jack’s Bar located at ICC Trade Tower on Senapati Bapat Road, where the incident took place late last night, said it does not allow patrons wearing slippers and shorts as per its rules displayed at its entrance.

The group members said they planned to have food at the resto-bar in order to enjoy the FIFA World Cup semi-final match between France and Belgium last night.

Aseem Tribhuvan, a media professional, said, “We were a group of six people. We wanted to eat something and watch the football semi-final match last night. We decided to visit Agent Jack’s Bar at ICC Trade Tower.”

“But to our surprise, we were stopped by some members of the staff at the lobby of the bar. They told us that since some of us were wearing slippers and shorts, we would not be allowed inside,” he said.

Tribhuvan added that when they spoke to someone from the management, he showed them a board of rules and regulations displayed at the entrance and told that due to their “appearance”, they would not be given any service there.

“We told the bar management that this was clear discrimination and they cannot do this. However, the staff at the bar did not budge, which prompted us to call the police control number,” he added.

He said a team of beat marshals arrived at the spot, but the bar management was firm on its stand of not letting them inside.

“Thereafter, we approached Chatushringi police station and submitted a written complaint,” he added.

In the complaint, the group sought action against the bar management saying that such rules and regulations are ”unconstitutional and infringement of the fundamental rights of a person”.

“We want that a police case should be registered against the bar,” Tribhuvan demanded.

When contacted, a manager of the bar said the outlet does not allow patrons wearing slippers and shorts.

“There are rules and regulations, written at the entrance and on that basis, the entry to the patrons was denied and there is no discrimination, he said.

“We follow a dress code here. Sometimes people come wearing bathroom slippers and it does not look good for our other patrons and we expect that people coming to the outlet should be well-dressed,” he said.

Senior inspector of Chatushringi police station, Dayanand Dhome, said no legal action can be taken against the bar as the management had already put up a board specifying the rules and regulations at the entrance.

“They have not denied entry on the basis of class, caste, creed, gender or religion. So there can’t be a case against the outlet,” he said.

He also said that the complainant should approach the Pune civic body as the permit to run the outlet was given by it.