New Delhi: The Delhi government has ordered a probe into allegation that a restaurant denied entry to underprivileged children accompanied by a woman writer.
Delhi 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 license will be cancelled.
Sisodia has also ordered the district magistrate of New Delhi to conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit a report within 24 hours, The Times of India reported.
It all happened on June 11 when Sonali Shetty, a writer, took eight street children for a lunch to Shiv Sagar restaurant to celebrate her husband’s birthday. But, the restaurant staff denied service, Shetty alleged. “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 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.
Shetty’s husband serves in the Indian Army.