A trip in the celebratory spirit of Eid turned out to be an experience in discrimination for many Muslims in Narendra Modi's Gujarat as the Himalaya Mall, among the five biggest malls in Ahmedabad, on Friday announced a fee of Rs20 from visitors from the minority community, Times of India reported Saturday.
The fee, allegedly imposed to ensure a safe and calm environment inside the mall, was to be returned to them only if they bought something from the mall, and retained if they did not. Many felt it was discrimination against a specific group on Eid when footfalls at the mall peaked, the Indian news website claimed. Mall officials said that against a routine daily footfall of around 10,000, Friday saw a surge in the numbers to around 30,000.
"The security personnel were being selective. We saw people walking past without paying any fee. When we asked the security guards, they said that they have orders to follow and asked us to pay up. We're shocked," Times of India quoted Saiyad Shaikh as saying. Shaikh, a resident of Delhi Chakla, had come to the mall with his family. Iliyas Ansari, who stays in Shahpur, told the news agency: "We're willing to pay entry fee provided the mall charges it from everybody. Why discriminate against just one community?" Himalaya Mall’s manager of operations Deepa Bhatnagar told the news agency that it was a “routine move” to check visitors on a busy day.
"We had employed the same mechanism in the past to keep troublemakers out. We are planning to charge entry fee during the coming festive season including Diwali. The fee is being returned if any purchase is made, so the entry is practically free," she said. About the selective demand of entry fee, she said the administration had decided to exclude women and senior citizens only. "There was no attempt to exclude anybody or charge specific persons. And, Rs20 is hardly a deterrent," she said. However, a Times of India correspondent observed a “distinct” pattern in which entry was allowed. Youth from specific age groups of the minority community were being scrutinised and asked to pay the fee while whereas women and many others were allowed to walk in without being charged. Mall officials said they saw two group clashes inside the mall last year during Eid and a glass wall was broken. On Friday, the number of security personnel was increased and a team of policemen was deployed inside as well as outside the mall, as authorities did not want any "trouble."