KOLKATA: A writer and an Art of Living teacher Khurshed Batliwala was allegedly denied an entry to a reputed swimming club in the city for not following the dress code adopted since British time.
Batliwala and his author friend Dinesh Ghodke both in the city to participate in spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's programme, were allegedly denied entry to Calcutta Swimming Club on Friday for wearing kurta pajamas, traditional Indian attire.
The issue surfaced after Batliwala took his Facebook account to describe the incident and urged his friends and followers to blacklist the club for following "British" rules, even 70 years after the country got its Independence.
Calcutta wimming Club president Anil Choudhury was not available for his comments over the episode.
"It's quite unfortunate that there are clubs who are still following some rules which have no connection with the present time. I felt very insulted and do not understand the logic behind they continue some rules constituted by the British even after the country got its Independence 70 years ago," Batliwala told PTI today.
The writer alleged that he and his friend were stopped by security guards and other officials at the Calcutta swimming club gate for "wearing a kurta and pajama".
"They (Club authorities) told me that we have to wear British attire to get entry into the club. They said they could have allowed me if I had worn a dhoti instead. But I found that there were several persons allowed to enter the club even though they were wearing casual western clothes," he said.
"I do not understand in what context a British attire is require at a swimming club. You cannot have such rules which are not of our country," he added.
Requesting people to "blacklist" such institutions following such rules, Batliwala had put up a video on YouTube in this connection.