Eatery denies entry to street children, AAP government orders probe
NEW DELHI: In a shocking incident, a prominent restaurant in Connaught Place here allegedly denied entry to unprivileged children accompanied by a woman, prompting Delhi government to order an inquiry. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia termed the incident as an example of typical "colonial mindset" and said that if the allegations against the restaurant are found true its licence will be cancelled.
"If allegations are found true, Delhi government will cancel licence of the restaurant," he said. Sisodia has also ordered the district magistrate of New Delhi to conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit a report within 24 hours. "This is typical colonial mindset. Can't be tolerated. Have ordered DM New Delhi to inquire & report within 24 hours," he said in his tweet.
Sonali Shetty, a writer, had taken some street children for a lunch to the restaurant to celebrate her husband's birthday yesterday. But, they were allegedly denied service by the staff of the eatery. "I had taken 8 underprivileged children for lunch to Shiv Sagar restaurant but the staff there denied to serve us. I was also ridiculed and threatened to keep off the restaurant," she said.
Shiv Sagar restaurant manager did not answer phone calls and messages despite several attempts. New Delhi district magistrate visited the restaurant today morning and questioned its staff.
"The DM asked the waiters and other staff of the restaurant about the yesterday's incident and noted it down," said a restaurant staff member. Terming the whole incident as a "failure" of the society, Shetty said that she protested outside the eatery for over 10 hours till around 12 but nothing happened.
"I will go again to the restaurant in the evening today with those children and buy them food there," she said, adding that she will fight till the children are tendered an apology by the restaurant. She also alleged that the policemen who had come to the restaurant on her call also did not help her and instead "reprimanded" her and asked her to take the children to some other place.
Sonali's husband serves in the Indian Army.