Madurai mall shuts bar to women after opposition from BJP

Vishal De Mall, in the city, had announced recently that a multi cuisine restaurant would be opened in the bar and women would also be allowed to patronise on Wednesdays. The announcement had irked Right Winged fringe elements in the society and there were instant condemnations for allowing women into the bar. On Wednesday, around 20 BJP cadred entered the mall and staged a protest in front of the bar located on the third floor of the mall. They raised slogans condemning the mall for allowing women to consume liquor and demanded withdrawal of the announcement. 

The protesters also said that it was against the culture and it should not be allowed. When the security guards asked them to vacate the spot, the protesters refused. They asked them to bring the representatives of mall management and asked them to open the bar to check whether women were inside. Ramesh, Assistant General Manager of Vishal De Mall, went to the spot and held talks with them. During the talks, he claimed that they too value the culture of the land and will not allow women to consume liquor in the bar. He also claimed that they have opened a multi cuisine restaurant inside the bar and announcement was made to allow women inside the restaurant. 

The BJP cadres wanted an assurance that women will not be allowed inside the bar and asked Ramesh to give the assurance in front of the media. Following which, Ramesh promised that women will not be allowed to consume liquor. The BJP cadre agreed to withdraw the protest temporarily but said they would check the bar in the evening.