Delhi restaurant Aquila had received immense criticism in the recent past for denying entry to a saree-clad woman. The eatery, located in Ansal Plaza Mall in Andrews Ganj, was called out after a video by the customer had surfaced online. In the viral clip, a staff member was seen disallowing entry to the lady, claiming that saree did not qualify as the dress code of 'smart casuals. Internet users had expressed their surprise at this bizarre rule in the capital city's eatery. However, in the latest development, Aquila has been asked to shut by South Delhi's Municipal Corporation (SDMC).
The restaurant was issued a closure notice on 24th September 2021 by SDMC for operating without a valid trade license. The notice said that the facility was running in unhygienic conditions and encroaching on public land.
"The restaurant was running illegally without licence. The notice was issued to the eatery only after I raised the issue. Now, the authorities have informed that the restaurant has been shut. It is a matter of probe that how the restaurant was running without a licence," Congress councillor Abhishek Dutt told PTI. He also raised the issue in the SDMC House meeting, proposing a fine of Rs. 5 lakhs for any establishment that denies entry to any person wearing traditional Indian attire.
Twitter users reacted to the news of the Delhi restaurant being shut. Take a look:
The Aquila restaurant at Ansal Plaza that allegedly denied entry to a saree-clad woman last week has been shut after being issued a closure notice by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation.????????
Aquila ko Akal aa jayegi ab!! ????????#aquilarestaurantpic.twitter.com/YCSDZ0vDRk— Pradeep Aggarwal (Veteran - Col) (@Pradeep54242413) September 30, 2021
#aquilarestaurant, not only passed that comment but by SDMC is reported to be operating without a proper health trade licence . It is now asked to be shut down #aquila#aquiladelhipic.twitter.com/DvLA3q0aKt— Ish (@ishita_2404) September 29, 2021
Apparently Aquila restaurant was being operated without SDMC trade license under poor sanitary conditions. https://t.co/OntM9B00kC— Aishwarya Mudgil (@AishwaryaMudgil) September 30, 2021
Aquila restaurant ,where a woman was denied entry as she was wearing saree, has been shut after being issued a closure notice by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation
Yeh Saree Kitni Mehngi Pad gayi ????????— Vikas Chopra???????? (@Pronamotweets) September 29, 2021
Delhi restaurant #Aquila that denied entry to saree wearing woman, shut by authorities.
Health inspector found that Aquila restaurant was operating without a health trade license. pic.twitter.com/04vyjtjUf4— Amit Srivastava ???????? (@AmiSri) September 29, 2021
Interestingly, some Twitter users had also called for the closure or ban of the restaurant last week when the Saree incident had surfaced online. Take a look:
So a restaurant in delhi #aquila does not allow women in a saree coz according to them its not a ‘smart clothing'. Can we just boycott such places that looks down upon #indianculture. This place needs to shut down!!! https://t.co/EmaaB0ifxE— meera chopra (@MeerraChopra) September 22, 2021
The sale of #Aquila has tripled. The defiant Saree clad ladies have pushed it beyond their expectations.
Great way to teach them a lesson! ????♂️— Nisheeth Sharan (@nisheethsharan) September 24, 2021
(Also Read: After Criticism Over 'Saree' Video, Delhi Restaurant Responds)
The Delhi restaurant had issued a statement after the Saree issue surfaced on social media. They said the video clip was only a 10-second snippet of the entire one-hour incident and issued a clarification welcoming visitors wearing traditional Indian clothes.
What did you think of the incident and SDMC's closure notice? Tell us in the comments below.