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The notice has categorised this incident as a “willful and deliberate discrimination on the basis of caste, sex, creed and region”. The notice also says the management of the bar — Urban Pind — asked the woman to reveal her nationality. “When told she was an Indian from the North-East, she was bluntly refused entry,” the notice reads.
Bar owner Kashif Farooq, however, said he was yet to receive any legal notice. He denied the charges against the management saying, “Profiling is based on dress and behaviour and not region”.
He said on Thursdays — the incident took place last Thursday — are ‘expat nights’, evenings for foreigners working in India. Farooq said, “Over 200 people were turned away because of this last week.” He added: “We have six employees from the North-East.”
The photographer was to meet two friends — a South Indian publisher and a German employee of a development bank — at Urban Pind. “I was stopped at the gate because I did not have a good profile,” she said.
Her advocate, K Enatoli Sema of the Naga Lawyers’ Guild, said the manager, Tahil, turned her away after being “told that she was from the North-East”. The photographer added she was stopped at the gate, while others — not all foreigners — were let in.
The photographer also said she was dressed sensibly in trousers, a top and scarf. She added, “It was deeply embarrassing, since the place was crowded. Finally, my publisher friend called up another friend who happened to know the owner and I was allowed in. But by then, I had been humiliated enough and decided to leave.”
The legal notice reads: “She was told by the manager that it was ‘policy’ not to allow entry to people who weren’t of the ‘right profile’. Asked why other women, including Oriental women of other nationalities, were being allowed entry... the manager said... it was the ‘policy’ laid down by the general manager.” Sema alleges there has been another instance of a Naga man being denied entry to the same lounge bar.
The photographer, who has lived in Delhi for 10 years, said: “When such discrimination happens, and it happens very often, we are forced to step back from the mainstream.”
Stephen Yanthan, president of the Naga Lawyers’ Guild, has said they will take legal steps unless the lounge bar apologises.
I am an English from Blackburn UK, my Italian, German, Asians good friends often complaint to me that they had been humiliated by English citizens considering locals as superior race, I always comfort by educating them to understand the meaning of equal rights and that no one should put you down and if they are being racist then something isnt right in his/her head, not your fault. Racial descrimination live and breed every corner of this world, we cannot whipe them off from the face of the earth but we can try to avoid not to let it happen in a civilized modern society. UK stand for "United Kingdom of Northern Ireland", an empire comprises of English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh. This four nations used to pick on each other often but that was in 18th century! we all can learn to live in harmony. Folks from North-East India can claimed your rights and fight for it if you see fit. Suffer today, peace and hormony tomorrow for citizens of India. Dont hesitate!
I have lived half of my life in the NE and am a so called "chinki" and have been living the rest of my life in Australia. I do know that ppl in the NE dont want to be a part of India and when they protest against such things- they are to blame. I remember seeing something on a wall in shillong way back that said, "we are khasis by birth and indians by accident". My mizo friends had this thing against "vaie's"= non tribal and would discriminate ppl who were not tribals and were not "chinkis". If there is so much of racism in the NE then why get offended if the same is given back to you...wat goes around, comes around. All tribal "chinki" NE ppl, think about it..at one point your parents and everyone dont want you in a salwar kameez because u look indian and then you go protesting if you are not accepted as one...double standards isn't it? We could use this rage to fight over noble issues like global warming, female feoticide etc etc
Dear Sophie, just to clarify - this is not nonsense. It's a very serious, and real issue. What that club owner has condoned in his establishment not just in this case but in 5 others that have come to light is illegal. It's a matter of national and international importance - see the press coverage. It's not about a girl not getting into a club because she was wearing flip flops - it's about an attitude and racism that's so internalized that people automatically assume nothing will happen to them if they discriminate against someone from the Northeast. It's really not about being denied entry to a club - it's about being denied entry to the bigger club, the 'Indian club', where you get equal rights and don't have to think twice about something as basic as going out with friends. Yes of course there are northeastern people who don't want to be part of India - this attitude is not justified either, but there is a basis for it, no? As someone who has been branded 'chinky' I would think that you would realize what a big issue this is. It's a pity you don't, and we do hope you'll see the bigger picture. Or maybe one day, it'll be you who the manager looks at - and when he doesn't like your 'chinky' face, you'll feel the burn then. Do join us and stand up against racial discrimination. (please see the facebook group for more details)
C'mon guys, we are all mature here so please stop this nonsense..start thinking from a broader perspective..go to the NE and find out how ppl from there treat other ppl who dont look liek them like the Bengalis etc...it pays to find out before rattling away..wat goes around comes around...have you checked how the Mizos treat non "chinkis"- they name them "vais" and are disgusted with them...go back guys and check the actual situation in the North east of India where some years ago, where some years ago a tribal girl was stoned because she was dressed in a salwar kameez!!!! Think about it...
check this out
I am german and proudly married to my little Naga Girl since more than 9 years.Whenever she goes and interacts with strangers for shopping or alike purpose the first thing they asked her: Are you Nepali?Well, the reply being in similar fashion and understandable upsetness though prejudiced as well is: No, are you Bihari?I have lived on and off with more or less open racism since my stay in India, 13 years, people spitting out in front or behind me though on the other hand there too are still people who insist that Hitler was a good guy. The spitters might think I am british ;) It's obviously a big piece of un-educatedness and indeed coupled with prejudice and even malice.This here is a very good piece of work ongoing, necessary; and I pray to the Almighty that it does even more than simply highlighting this sad and shameful case but emerges into a wide publication of the 'left alone' Naga/Manipuri/Assamese etc. with far greater results than anticipated now!The Media should act
im very glad that this protest is happening but also sad that i won't be able to attend. refraining from attending because if i see that **** manager i won't be able to stop myself from bashing his head in. Racism in India is big but just doesnt become news because we as ppl become immune to it. In support to end all racism!
Arianne, you go there everyday because you are dating Mr. Kasif and for you everything is free.URBAN PIND / Mr. Kasif is not innocent. If you really wanna help innocent people there are plenty of organisations working towards it. Join them and just dont sit on a computer and make illogical arguements.
I understand were all of you are coming from. You think you are revolutionaries and helping racism end...and it would usually be a great thing to believe in and I would above all support it. The only problem here is that this is a mistake. Is sad that you saw an incident that had nothing to do with race and turn it into a racist one. Urban Pind is NOT racist. If you go inside, you can see people from all nationalities, races, cultures and religions in there. Working, and dancing. I happened to be a regular, and almost every time there are people from Northern India there,enjoying themselves like everybody else. And if they had some balls they will come in this page and explain that. I am sure they are too afraid to stand up for what is right. Most of you joined this group because it felt right, it felt like you were going to stop racism if you did. But please tell me, except for who was there that night, whom of you know anything about this subject? most of you don't even live in Delhi! only saw what the news or other angry people wanted you to see.I talked to the guy that was with the girls when they finally got in the club. He told me, NO she wasn´t being discriminated, the problem was a confusion, but it was all solved out, they though she was with some other people that were trouble and several things. But no, she wasn´t discriminated. I know you all trying to compare this to when Britain used to discriminate. But remember what the signs said? NO DOGS NO INDIANS; at all! so.....why is Urban allowing all kinds of people, and then just ONE of them doesn´t get allowed in she makes a protest, riot and attention seeking drama that has no end?? People and places that discriminate ( which are many and I can´t stand) don´t let anyone from the culture they are against in. If Urban really was racist, you would not see every Tuesday night north eastern girls dancing salsa...every Thursday some doing shots and partying...every weekend...every day! so please stop this nonsense before it becomes a bigger issue that is going to affect innocents. Urban is innocent in this matter, if you are angry at places that discriminate I agree, go fight them...Urban Pind...IS NOT
Dear Arianne. It really is no use arguing with you. I suggest you brush your geaography a little, read all the articles,t.v coverage etc...about the incident, listen to your friend Mr Kashif lying on national T.V and then lets get down to discussing about this issue ok? Because right now you sound like a little kid who just found out that candy's and chocolates could give you worms in your stomach. You sound to say the least a bit silly for not getting the issue here. So before people start questioning your intelligence please be a good girl and do your home-work then we will discuss the issue with you properly. URBAN PIND IS NOT INNOCENT!!!!IT PROFILES PEOPLE.It profile this girl and she was not let in on that basis whereas her 2 friends were found to be of 'right profile' that is why they were allowed in. Can you get this simple point here?Have you been profiled before and not found good enough? Do you want to be profiled and be told that you are not fit to enter a certain place? This is what goes on in URBAN PIND!!!
Dear Arianne,I don't know why you persist in advertising your stupidity. I am an expat living in Delhi for the past 3years and I can vouch for the discriminatory attitude at Urban. It has happened to all of us who have Indian friends that our friends are denied entry and it gets worse, I was dating a girl from the north-east and not only were we denied entry but the manager told me to my face that they don't allow 'chinky' girls!! I busted a nut and shouted at them till they said sorry but I vowed never to go back to that place. I am so glad this girl is taking the management up on their blatantly bigoted policy. Arianne get a life- if you are so convinced of his innocence why don't you just go testify for him in court when the matter goes to court- till then just be civil and don't go about insulting the intelligence of a very intelligent country. Maybe they might just sue YOU for your bigoted views!! After all an accessory to a crime is as bad as the perpetrator of the crime..just think about that the next time you want to declaim
Dear Charles, you make so much sense. Thanks for speaking up, and do join the facebook group Boycott Urban Pind to show your support, plus attend protest. Best R
what part of profile did the girl was not allowed.she was dressed properly .She didn't behaved badly.Thatis enough.I thought so .
Arianne you are talking about the right way of dressing and presenting the so called "right profile" to enter a club! do me a favour and explain this in detail because i personally have seen in Urban pind people coming in slippers, flip-flops etc.So were these people allowed since they were non-oriental looking? Really need an explaination here..BIG TIME.
Let me pleaseeee clarify to you what is the right profile to go into urban, whatever the owner thinks! that is the right profile...he allows some people in flip flops maybe sometimes..but look at the style..its well combined, well dressed, some are oriental looking, some aren´t....so here, is your explanaition, if you dont like their way of deciding who is well dressed, who pary somewere else buddy..
Arianne, First things first "dress nicely and you will get in" there are so many people who enter in shorts and slippers and they easily get the entry and all the RESPECT. Just to name one is Mr. Saad Kamal. Ask your manager friend, he knows him well.Also you talk about CLUB RULES, you are just 23 so why do you go to a club and drink when INDIAN law doesnt allow that.Make sure next time you go to Urban and drink, you might be behind the bars, the world is watching..... Your manager friend just let the all the white skin people in without any issues and doesnt let his own INDIAN people go inside. How will you people when you are treated the same way in your country ? NICE POLICY by Mr. Kashif, must say....
my dear arianne, Sure u know the manager...such a nice man isnt he?and from such a nice north indian family.Wow!!i guess that absolves him from everything.Har de har!what do you call a person who admits he made a mistake YET refuses to apologise?? who are you trying to convince anyway? because seriously NObody is buying it!and u sound like a broken record.A bigot is a bigot is a bigot.NOthing Personal.
I have personally been out of the North-East since the last 8 years or so and trust me it is not just Delhi where we can see such feelings of blatant discrimination against anyone from the northeast, it prevalent in other states of India as well. I think the fact that the North-Eastern part of India is not yet considered a part of our country is reflected in all such acts of discrimination. A lot of Indians still do not know anything about the North-East and neither do they intend to do so – you say Arunachal and they think its China, Meghalaya is Burma or Bhutan, and so on. Our Government is hugely responsible for this flak that people from the north-eastern states have to take in their day to day life. The neglect and feeling of being ‘foreigners’ in our own country has long been suppressed in our hearts and it really feels good that someone had the courage to stand up against all those people who discriminate racially against people from their own country.
must say that its high time the North East people woke up and fought back for the ill treatment given by the mainstream indians. I was in India for a long time and was horrified and sad to witness so much of mean ness. But all in all I just want the North East people to know that they are very good people and should be proud to be one. Remember its the main stream people who need more exposure and need to get out of their double standard life.....i and yes i say ....dont take the shit anymore....and the North Eastern have every right to be offended....remember what goes around comes around.....
I am a Punjabi from Delhi and I agree completely to the fact of racism practiced by our "Fair and Lovely" obsessed city.Its also true that Delhi works by who knows who phenomenon, as it shows that once the owner knew someone who knew the "victim" she was allowed in.The battles between the so called "Harries" or derogatory term for Biharis and "chinkies" (North easterners) were common in Delhi University hostels even in the 80's . We have to understand that India is a nation in the making , from Madrasis and Punjabis we are becoming slowly but surely of diversity beyond our caste,region,language,religion as we go on.Its a complex process which will be worked out in society over time.Media has to play a nurturing role in making all Indian cities and towns accept multicultural and plural reality of our country.Such incidents have to be highlighted to make us reflect.Raj Thackeray does not even want to see Biharis in Mumbai forget allowing them in bars!We are India in the making.
This incident is not new but what is new is the fact that now someone has stood up and said "enough is enough"! I hope this will be an beginning to the end of discrimination in all it's forms!
i totally agree with words of tashi.It is a fact that we are partial towards fellow people for status, skin , religion.. well the list is pretty long. It is also a fact that we have remained blind to it and in a way accepted it as reality . I am really happy that it has been finally brought out and dealt with. It is high time we address it with our actions.
It wasn´t so long ago, during British Raj in India, that Indians and dogs were not allowed in most establishments. The humiliations and the atrocities that we Indians suffered then! Can one forget them so soon? So easily? Have we gained no wisdom or compassion through our experience? Perhaps its foolish to assume that people who suffer atrocities acquire a greater than average capacity for compassion.
I don't understand why do you people go to Delhi or mumbai or pune. Here the people are obsessed and dont know how to speak to their neighbours, leave aside visitors from other states of their own country. You always read that foreigner female tourists are raped. You people should rather choose Chennai or Hyderabad or Kolkata for your education or work. These cities are more friendly towards others. And for eve teasing or calling chinki, don't take it seriously, as there is a typical name given to each and every community. So goodluck to find a good city.
'Fair complexion, smart dress and manageable spoken english' is what profiling means in the glamorous corridors of Delhi.Why blame the bar owner, it's unfortunately the psyche of an average Delhite. Unfortunately,this is not confined to the streets of Delhi only, it is very much prevalent in the highly educated and emancipated corporate world, as well. I know a Managing Director, of a very high-profile multinational, who replaced all his dark/brown-skinned colleagues in the management committee with fair-skinned managers, of lesser capabilty. Fair skin definitely attracts premium among Indians. And, we have the cheek to say that westerners are racist. Come on, look at ouselves before commenting on others.
To arianne, yes clubs have rules but rules should be laid within the laws of the land. And they should have a board outside with all their rules laid down so people know what the rule of the club is.Profiling a person because she belongs to a particular region is tantamount to stripping him/her of her fundamental rights which is in the court of law a criminal offence. This is not a personal fight I think but a fight for people here to recognise that people from the North-East belongs to India and is entitled to all the fundamental rights given in the constitution.
Mr farooq says they profile people on their'dress' and 'behaviour'. From the description of her the gilr's outfit sounds very decent to me and as for her behaviour, I wonder when did he have the chance to observe her behaviour when she was in the queue waiting to get in. I hardly think his explaination is intelligent enough. The point is not about getting into a bar or club but its about the entire attitude towards people from the North-East, from calling us "chinki" to judging us just because we are different in everyways.I dont think anyone has a right to discriminate because people look 'different'. We need a change in attitude here.
There are many such bars which are openly discriminating the people from North East India. Are north East Indians not Indians? I dont think its a dress issue. North East Indians Dress much better than the delhiites as far as i know. Govt should take steps so that all this discrimination be banned and everyone should be given the equal rights....Important: North East Indians are Indians? Politicians
I think it is outrageous to profile people the way they dress, where they are from etc.. The bar at GK I should be banned.
Please don´t missunderstand this...have you ever been to Urban? have you seen who works and parties there? there are girls and guys from everywere in India! yes, including the north east, west and everywere. 3 girls I personally know from North india work there..so think about that for a second. you cannot say they discriminate about anyone until you go in there and see it for yourself. I think that girl was mad because she wasnt allowed in, and then tried to use that saying that is was her ethnicity. that is impossible! manager there is very nice, and DONT get me started with the owner, his family is from the North India...its impossible he would discriminate. think and see before you write please and see it for yourself
Hello Arianna,why would we misunderstand, we can read, write and understand english. Why the manager and owner are nice to you we dont know only you guys know the reason, but they we not "NICE" to that girl definately so you can all be nice to each other or whatever but please and i say please dont be so narrow. You know and so does everyone the reason she was not allowed entrace. Of course she is mad because she was not allowed entrance, but she is standing up for hrself and all who went and are going through it. So Arianna if you have been turned down and you didn't do anything about it then you are a coward, but dont expect everyone to be one. "its policy" what do you mean by it,dont you get it they are making an issue out of this because its against the law all over the world to have such a policy, as no northeasterns or any ethinic group. So just dont write bullshit because they are NICE to you. May i ask how NICE are they????????
Listen, I agree that I shouldn´t make it about who is nice to me and who isn´t. I was just trying to make an example about how they are not bad people. But you took it to another level....are you trying to say something? because by all means...speak up! don´t stop yourself. No, I wasn´t at the entrace when that happen, and maybe Kashif said it was a mistake on TV because it maybe was a mistake not to let that one person in, but it was not by racism, you can see people in there from north india all the time! and what do you mean by "i am white so of course they will let me in" look at people here..north india are usually the whitest! I am not white at all..they are allowed to not let this girl in, because of the way she was dressed, and that is what happened, that people are tying to make it a different deal, unless you were there..which 3 girls were so they are allowed to talk...you shouldn´t talk, because it is probably a lie. and Tasenla, I am not narrow minded, you do not know anything about me. ANd R I have been in her shoes...of discrimination agains my race..and i can tell you, in a place they discriminate about your race or origin..they dont let ANYONE from there in...or even work there! which look around..it doesn´t happen at URBAN.
Don´t I? Not just me but everyone who has read your vehement little outcries in these pages know you for exactly what you are - narrow minded, silly and bigoted! By the way, don´t you object to the last two adjectives?
Dear Arianne, please please "don´t take this personally" but isn´t it time you stop, before you make an even bigger fool of yourself. You have already show that you are narrow minded, silly and bigotted. On second thoughts go ahead, can´t get more worse than that!
Dear Arianne, I'm one of the girls who was with the girl who was victimized in this incident - let me tell you very clearly, that only after the management saw the girl's face did they refuse her entry. He asked me which nationality she was from and said she didnt have a good profile - when she was decently dressed and perfectly behaved. My German friend and I were shocked that in the 21st century, creatures like the owner and his manager can practice this kind of discrimination. The manager may be nice to you because you are not oriental or 'chinky' as he would like to call people from there I'm sure - try being in their shoes. And I don't follow your logic - because the owner is from North India it's impossible he would discriminate? Lastly, the owner knows he has a mistake - check NDTV's transcript of the show they had on Wednesday. He said he has made a mistake, but won't apologize! So, looks like you're the only one who thinks your friend is innocent - even he admits he has made a mistake. The sad, bad thing is that he doesn't think he needs to apologize. But he will. Oh, he will.
Dear dear Arianne..hard to not misunderstand you. First, i can see that despite you saying 'dont take this personally', you yourself have gone on to take this matter very personally, dragging in your own personal opinion of the manager and the owner with which frankly we dont care! Saddam Husseins's family is gonna stick up for him as the nice guy so what?we overlook his atrocities? Anyways judging from the 'closeness' you exhibit for this club's staff n owner, as a lawyer i can clearly see your opinion is tainted and biased so not worth getting worked up over. However, the fact that you accuse this girl of having trumped up these charges is a very dangerous, thoughtless, irresponsible and deplorable thing to do. It is one thing to stand by your beliefs, it is quite another to degrade someone else as a liar and a fraud. Please, like you said, do not take this personally and make it your war...it happened because there are 2 other people with her who are taking this issue to light and they are not from the north east and they were not refused entry so they aren't doing this for fun. Another thing, we are fighting against racial profiling and people who judge other people from the area of India they come from..so the fact that the owner is from North India is pointless. Lastly, maybe the manager is a nice guy, he was having an off day, he did say what is alleged he did..too bad, but hey..just apologise!!
come on! its a club, what do you expect?They have the right to say who goes in and who doesnt. If you don't like it, go somewhere else. its like going to a fine dinning restaurant in shorts you will get turned down. so dress nicely and you will get in, this is not the only place it happens. look around, every club in the world not just in delhi does this..and i agree with it. sorry to say..you cannot just let everyone in. i have been turned down from clubs to for not having the right clothes or profile, dont take it personal, its policy.
listen Arianne, m not a Naga but still one thing i wana tel u is dat u better go n learn n see the world better dan now, aft dat u com back n say watever u want k. If u Full support the owner why dnt u go n work 4 him....
Arianne, First things first "dress nicely and you will get in" there are so many people who enter in shorts and slippers and they easily get the entry and all the RESPECT. Just to name one is Mr. Saad Kamal. Ask your manager friend, he knows him well.Also you talk about CLUB RULES, you are just 23 so why do you go to a club and drink when INDIAN law doesnt allow that.Make sure next time you go to Urban and drink, you might be behind the bars, the world is watching..... Your manager friend just let the all the white skin people in without any issues and doesnt let his own INDIAN people go inside. How will you people when you are treated the same way in your country ? NICE POLICY by Mr. Kashif, must say....
Arianne, i think you're missing the point here. Of course a club can refuse entry if there is a dress code that is being violated - there are club roles that have to be posted, also, in this case. However, you CANNOT tell someone they can't go in because of their ethnicity. Because they happen to be from the Northeast, which is part of India, and people in Delhi try to stereotype the women from there. How DARE they do this, is what we must ask. In the twenty first century, people are still being discriminated against, openly. Boycott Urban Pind - they must issue an apology.
Dear Arianne, you say `dont take it personal, its policy´, but I think YOU would take it personally too, if you were refused entry anywhere, based on where you come from. I believe The Victim here was asked from which country she is? Makes one wonder, doesn´t it, why a person should be asked that, just to enter a mere bar/club?
Every club, organisation, group, etc is entitled to have a 'policy' that administer entry protocols, etc. However it is absolutely imperative that such policies are based on sound principles and reasons and should not be discriminatory or biased or down right ridiculous. Can you imagine being refused a movie ticket at PVR because u come from a certain region or country? Tickets can be refused if you are underaged for the movie which is classified "Adult" etc. The same rules apply to clubs as well where u may be denied entry because you are wearing sneakers instead of formal shoes, or because you are inappropriately dressed, etc. But to be refused entry on grounds of nationality, ethnicity, looks, facial features, colour?? No policy based on such grounds is permissible for reasons you cannot claim to be ignorant of. As far as taking it personally goes, it has gone much beyond that because to begin with, its a very public issue and the reason it is in the public eye today is because each one of us take this affront personally.
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