CHENNAI: It has been exactly five months since an enraged State Assembly, agitated by the denial of entry to a high court judge at a club in Chennai, passed a bill against restricting entry for those clad in dhotis at public places, malls, clubs and stadia. However, despite the stringent punishment of one-year jail term and `25,000 fine, high-end pubs and bars in the city still refuse to allow entry to the dhoti-clad, as a team from Express found out the hard way on the eve of Dhoti Day that is being observed on January 6.
“Sorry sir, we allow dhoti during lunch hours. But in the evenings in the pub, we don’t allow men wearing dhoti. Trousers and shoes are mandatory,” said the guard at the door of 10 Downing Street, one of the most popular pubs in the city, when the team of two male reporters clad in dhoti along with two women reporters visited on Monday evening.
The team, posing as members of the public, tried reasoning and even pleading, but the guard expressed helplessness, citing this is as per the strict instructions of the management.
Downed by Downing Street but not out, the team then headed to Illusions, another pub at Mylapore.
The security guards initially welcomed them with enthusiasm, saying, “Leave the bikes that side, sir…” But soon after noticing the dhotis that the reporters were sporting, they quickly added, “Sir, the problem is, we don’t allow men in dhoti.”
When two reporters went up to the entrance to cross-check, they were stopped and asked where they wanted to go, even as other visitors sashayed in without having to face a query or even a second look. “We came to have a drink. Will we be allowed in dhoti?” a reporter asked. This triggered off some suspicion.
Those at the reception grew visibly suspicious of the ‘unusual’ demand and replied, “We allow men in dhoti. But today it is fully booked for a private party.” However, this story did not hold up more than a few minutes.
The team found out this was not true by a simple phone call to the pub asking if there was space for a group of six to come in for a drink. The person on the other line did not hesitate for a moment before extending a welcome. “But will you allow us in dhoti?” the reporter asked. “No, our dress code is trousers and shoes,” came the reply.
The team had a quick discussion and decided to try their luck at a pub at a star hotel, assuming that the management here would be more aware of the law of the land. The team drove to Sheraton Park to have a drink at its popular night club, Dublin. After the security check inside the hotel, the guard at the door greeted the reporters with a pleasant smile — quite an assuring sight, making the team think they finally found a non-discriminatory place where even men in dhoti could kick back and have a drink in peace.
However, the guard said, “The pub is closed today, sir.” He went on to add, “But sir, even otherwise you cannot have a drink here since dhoti is not allowed. You can go anywhere in the hotel, but not to the pub.” Why? Why can’t we have a drink at the pub wearing a dhoti? “Sir, that is the case in any pub in the city. What we can do?” queried the guard, putting the message across as humbly as he could.
“Then at least pubs must rent trousers for people who come in dhoti, isn’t it?” asked one of the reporters, as he left quite dejected with the failed mission of not being able to have a drink wearing his favourite traditional wear.For the record, under the Tamil Nadu Entry into Public Places (Removal of Restriction on Dress) Act, it is punishable to prevent any person wearing a dhoti from entering clubs, associations, trusts, companies and societies. Besides prison term and fine, the Act also provides for cancelling the licenses of violating organisations.