'Absolutely shameful': Gauahar Khan reacts after Bengaluru mall denies entry to farmer in dhoti

A 70-year-old farmer was refused entry to a Bengaluru mall on Tuesday evening because of his traditional clothes, sparking anger among the public. Actress Gauahar Khan has also reacted to the incidents and called the incident 'absolutely shameful.'

Fakeerappa, a farmer, was reportedly denied entry to GT Mall on Magadi Main Road in Bengaluru on Wednesday because he was wearing a traditional dhoti and white shirt. He had gone to the mall with his son to watch a movie.

Later, a video of the incident circulated on social media. Gauahar Khan responded by strongly criticising the Bengaluru mall, calling the incident as 'shameful.' She shared the video on her Instagram story and wrote, "This is absolutely shameful. Strict action must be taken against the mall. This is India and we all must be proud of our culture."

The incident sparked criticism from local farmer unions and politicians. A group of farmers, along with a pro-Kannada organization, protested in front of a mall in Bengaluru on Wednesday after the elderly man was allegedly denied entry to the mall because he was wearing a 'dhoti.' 

"A farmer had arrived here, wearing a 'dhoti', but the security guard didn't let him inside. So, we are protesting here," a protester told ANI. Bharatiya Janata Party attacked the Congress-led Karnataka government.

Sharing the purported video of the incident on 'X', BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the farmers are being "abused and insulted" in Karnataka. Further targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over 'Nyay' campaign and asked if this was the nyay (justice) for farmers.

"Under Karnataka Congress govt patronage. Farmers are being abused and insulted for wearing Dhoti? Banned entry in a mall! Karnataka CM wears a dhoti!. Dhoti is our pride.. should farmer wear a tuxedo in a mall? How is Karnataka Congress allowing this? They are most anti-farmer! They even increased prices of diesel & betrayed farmers. Now they are insulting farmers by denying entry in Dhoti. Where is Rahul Baba? Is this Kisan ke saath Nyay?"

Poonawalla said in a post on X. Karnataka Congress MLA NA Haris, reacted to the incident, calling the Bengaluru incident "unacceptable" and said he would urge the state government to take action.

(With inputs from ANI)

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