Bengaluru Metro sacks security supervisor amid outrage over denial of entry to farmer over attire

In a statement issued on Monday, the BMRCL said, “Namma Metro is an inclusive public transport. The Rajajinagar incident is probed & the services of the security supervisor is terminated. BMRCL regrets the inconvenience caused to the Passenger.”

Namma Metro is an inclusive public transport. The Rajajinagar incident is probed & the services of the security supervisor is terminated. BMRCL regrets the inconvenience caused to the Passenger.@srivasrbmrccoi1

— ನಮ್ಮ ಮೆಟ್ರೋ (@OfficialBMRCL) February 26, 2024

In the video posted by Deepak, Airani can be heard arguing with the security officer in Kannada, asking the official to show which rule mandates a dress code for Metro commuters. “He is a farmer and has a ticket required to travel on the Metro. He does not have any items in his sack that are prohibited from being taken on the Metro. He only has clothes. On what basis have you denied him entry? Show me the rule which mandates a dress code for Metro commuters. Is this a transport service restricted to VIPs? It is public transport,” he says.

UNBELIEVABLE..! Is metro only for VIPs? Is there a dress code to use Metro?
I appreciate actions of Karthik C Airani, who fought for the right of a farmer at Rajajinagar metro station. We need more such heroes everywhere. @OfficialBMRCL train your officials properly. #metro pic.twitter.com/7SAZdlgAEH

— Deepak N (@DeepakN172) February 24, 2024

Meanwhile, another commuter also demanded that the farmer be allowed entry, pointing out that it was discrimination and nothing else.

The video drew much criticism on X, with one user Anil, posting, “But still no comments from five star service provider @OfficialBMRCL . ನಮ್ಮ (Namma) metro runs because of Rich traveller’s? #brandbangalore is for rich guys only. @Tejasvi_Surya sir, pls instruct officials and become voice of poor. You meet ac room officials.”

Sangamesh, another user, commented, “These security guys are untrained and think metros as aeroplanes. Misbehaviour has become daily thing with them. One security was denying me to enter for carrying 100 gms chutney pudi.”

X user Kalyani Jaiswal remarked, “I thought metro was a public transport made for the convenience of the society,no matter to what section a person belonged to but this video proved it to be wrong. Even if its rare but still we should count even 1 bad incident so that it never happens again in the future.”