CHENNAI: Following the furore over a destitute boy being disallowed entry into a store of popular fastfood outlet McDonalds in Pune, an NGO in Chennai took a group of underprivileged old women and children to an outlet of the firm at Anna Nagar on Saturday as a mark of protest.
“It is a shame that such incidents of discrimination still prevail. The child was not there to beg for free food, he was actually escorted by another lady. Incidents like these increase divide in the society,” said Andrew Sesuraj, State convenor of Tamil Nadu Child Rights Observatory (TNCRO).
The children seemed delighted after being treated to burgers, fries and ice creams. “I am having this for the first time. I normally look at such stalls from outside,” said Joseph M, who lives in the slums in Ayanavaram.
Several volunteers from the organisation were interacting with other customers and telling them about the treatment meted out to the young boy in Pune. “I had not heard about this till today. My question is why should people have problems with the ones living an underprivileged life? Aren’t they also humans? Do looks and dress determine the entry of a person inside a store? I pity the ones who think so,” said Nitya Madanraj, a customer. Jude and Nivedha, two other customers, bought the children some extra food and ice creams.
The volunteers had pamphlets stating ‘Don’t discriminate children’ and ‘McDonald’s is not a place for such people’ pinned to their shirts. “The moment we entered the store with the kids, we were prepared to face any kind of unwelcome gesture. But the management here seemed nice. Only that they shifted the other customers to a party hall saying that they might need privacy,” said Angelin Roveena, a volunteer. An employee from the store too disdained such a treatment.
“It is sad that such a thing happened in Pune. But here we never encourage such practices,” said the staff, refusing to disclose her identity.