The farmer was stopped at Bengaluru metro station resulting from his “untidy” garments
New Delhi:
Two days after a farmer was stopped from boarding a metro prepare by an official at Bengaluru’s Rajajinagar station due to his “untidy” garments, the National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident.
The NHRC, in a press release, stated it has noticed that “the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights”. “No person can be denied access to public transport based on the nature of the clothes he or she is wearing. If someone possesses any objectionable material, he could be stopped only as per the provisions of the law,” it stated.
The Commission has issued notices to the Karnataka Chief Secretary and the Managing Director of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and requested for an in depth report inside 4 weeks.Â
The report ought to embrace steps taken or proposed to make sure such incidents don’t recur, it added.
The rights physique additionally posted concerning the incident on X and wrote: “NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of the reported stopping of a farmer from boarding the metro train by an official due to his untidy attire. The Commission observes no one can be denied access to public transport based on his attire.”
NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of the reported stopping of a farmer from boarding the metro prepare by an official resulting from his untidy apparel. The Commission observes nobody could be denied entry to public transport primarily based on his apparel. pic.twitter.com/HefTV3nPy5
— NHRC India (@India_NHRC) February 28, 2024
On February 26, a farmer with a big sack on his head was stopped by an official on the baggage checkpoint contained in the Rajajinagar metro station and was not allowed to enter the platform despite the fact that he had a ticket. The video of the incident is now viral on social media.Â
Several commuters had been heard within the video protesting the official’s choice. They requested the official if the metro rail has a costume code for passengers and whether or not the rail service is barely meant for VIPs.
“This person is not being allowed because his dress is dirty. There is nothing in the bag, just his clothes. He has been searched thoroughly. He is not allowed because of his clothes. He is a farmer. He is from a village. They say this will displease others. Is this some VIP transport? He has a ticket too. They claim there is a board mentioning this. If he has any objectionable material, you can stop him. We won’t say anything,” considered one of them is heard saying.
The farmer was later allowed to enter the platform and authorities expressed remorse over the incident. Bengaluru’s Namma Metro dismissed the official after the video sparked huge outrage on-line.