Delhi restaurant denies entry to disabled man, Twitter explodes in anger
New Delhi: In a shocking incident, a differently-abled customer was denied entry into a restaurant in New Delhi, with the management blaming his disability for the restriction.
Nipun Malhotra took to Twitter to express his anguish over the sour experience, questioning the restaurant’s attitude towards people like him.
Was declined entry at Keya Delhi, DLF Promenade because they don't allow 'disabled' inside!
— Nipun Malhotra (@nipunmalhotra) March 6, 2015“My friends told the manager that I could perfectly move around on wheels but I was denied entry into the club,” he said
Malhotra, a disability rights activist was stopped by four security guards from entering the restaurant.
In a series of tweets, Keya (the restaurant) apologised to Malhotra, saying that he was not allowed entry because he was a stag. However, his friends had been allowed entry as stags before.
(1/7) @nipunmalhotra #KeyaClarifies Sir, Keya is a disabled friendly restaurant & we never deny entry to anyone for being differently abled
— Keya (@info_keya) March 6, 2015(2/7) @nipunmalhotra #KeyaClarifies You have dined at our restaurant on an earlier occasion. We have welcomed you and served you warmly.
— Keya (@info_keya) March 6, 2015(3/7) @nipunmalhotra #KeyaClarifies Today being Holi, we were denying stag entries, & you were part of a stag group that was turned away
— Keya (@info_keya) March 6, 2015(4/7) @nipunmalhotra #KeyaClarifies Our reason for denying stag entries on Holi was that people were coming intoxicated to the restaurant.
— Keya (@info_keya) March 6, 2015(5/7) @nipunmalhotra #KeyaClarifies We are sensitive people & would never deny entry to anyone on grounds of being differently abled.
— Keya (@info_keya) March 6, 2015(6/7) @nipunmalhotra #KeyaClarifies We turned u away today only because u were part of a stag group. We apologize(d) for the inconvenience
— Keya (@info_keya) March 6, 2015(7/7) @nipunmalhotra #KeyaClarifies We are sensitive people, we have received you warmly earlier, would love to receive you again in future.
— Keya (@info_keya) March 6, 2015Malhotra was born with Arthrogryposis, a condition that leads to lack of muscles in arms and legs.
Let's all pledge today to boycott services of Keya Restaurant. @PMOIndia should take a strict note & appropriate action. #ShameOnKeya
— Puneet Sharma (@puneetpossible) March 7, 2015Felt upset reading #ShameOnKeya,now reading #KeyaClarifies & feeling angry/confused/sad.It's only fair that we all read the clarification
— Anna MM Vetticad (@annavetticad) March 7, 2015It's absolutely disgusting on part of Keya pub at posh DLF Promenade to not let @nipunmalhotra enter because he is 'disabled'. #ShameOnKeya
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) March 7, 2015I'm sorry you were treated with such insensitivity @nipunmalhotra . #ShameOnKeya
— kaveri (@ikaveri) March 6, 2015